Continuous loop roller furling

[Madwand]

I'm new to this Catalina 30 that has a continuous loop roller furling line. I took it out yesterday for the first time by myself, not really knowing what I'm doing on this boat. I have no experience with roller furlers.

I proceeded to face the boat into the wind and started pulling out the 150 Genoa. It came out fine. Then I realized that I hadn't uncleated the roller loop.

So after this I let the Genoa flloose and proceeded to furl it with the loop. It's rolled up fine.

My question is, could I have possibly damage something? I am not understanding why the sail unfurled while the loop was cleated. If the roller furling Loop is intended to create tension and keep the sail in place at a specific size, then why did it unfurl.

[JayH]

A continuous furler uses the friction of the line to turn the spool. To maintain friction and keep the spool stationary, both ends of the line must be kept taut. Cleating obly one end doesn't guarantee immobility since the spool could simply rotate toward the cleated side to ease the tension then be free to rotate back the other way.

BTW, furler manufacturers consider it a feature for the furling line to remain stationary while unfurling. Having a big sail unroll and spin the continuous furling line is generally considered undesirable.

Also, continuous furlers are not designed to keep the sail in place at a specific size. That is a roller reefing system, which is a much more robust mechanism. These have single-ended lines on drums and are not continuous.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by JayH

. . .Also, continuous furlers are not designed to keep the sail in place at a specific size. That is a roller reefing system, which is a much more robust mechanism. These have single-ended lines on drums and are not continuous.

The Selden in-mast furler with continuous loop is most definitely designed for roller reefing, and works very well in all possible conditions. I expect others are. I suspect this point of view is outdated.

A hydraulic or electric furler would be even much better, however.

[Madwand]

So you are saying that mine is only designed to be all in or all out?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[JayH]

Originally Posted by Madwand

So you are saying that mine is only designed to be all in or all out?

I'm not aware of any continuous line HEADSAIL furler suitable for reefing. What brand & model do you have?

To Dockhead's point, a mainsail furler uses a captive reel or splined design to increase friction and allow reefing.

[Madwand]

I don't know what kind it is, it's the one that came with my Catalina 30, original. Why are you guys talking about main sails and masts furlers?

[Manos1955]

it will help if you post couple of photos or a video

[captjcook]

Probably a Hood Seafurl 700/800/900...
I have a ebook manual...does not want to copy/paste...pilot error I'm sure...

Sent from my LGMS323 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Madwand

I don't know what kind it is, it's the one that came with my Catalina 30, original. Why are you guys talking about main sails and masts furlers?

It is called thread drift.

[Madwand]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pszvw0mwb8.jpg

[cpt_757]

Originally Posted by JayH

I'm not aware of any continuous line HEADSAIL furler suitable for reefing. What brand & model do you have?

To Dockhead's point, a mainsail furler uses a captive reel or splined design to increase friction and allow reefing.

Mine is Facnor, I believe furling up to 3/4, or 130% is fine.

[Bluebeard]

Originally Posted by JayH

I'm not aware of any continuous line HEADSAIL furler suitable for reefing. What brand & model do you have?

To Dockhead's point, a mainsail furler uses a captive reel or splined design to increase friction and allow reefing.

An English company - Sailspar - make a very nice headsail roller reefing system. I've used one on a previous boat, they are well made. It's highly unlikely to be fitted to a US boat though.

[basssears]

Originally Posted by captjcook

Probably a Hood Seafurl 700/800/900...
I have a ebook manual...does not want to copy/paste...pilot error I'm sure...

Sent from my LGMS323 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

If it is a Hood I know it is only designed to furl (all the way in or all the way out) not reef (part way out)... although it will reef OK in light winds with lots of tension on it, but then will slip in heavier winds (just when you least want it to).

You can contact Hood about upgrading to a true reefing/furler system at a big discount if you have one of their old continuous line systems, basically they are admitting it was not a great design by deeply discounting the upgrade.

[Madwand]

Okay, now that it's not raining, I was able to determine that it is an 810 seafurl ld.

https://www.pompanette.com/BigSummit...2?OpenDocument

Okay, the main thing I wanted to know is if I am able to Reef or not before I get into a situation. And that I didn't damage anything when I unfurled with the line cleated.

Thanks.

[carlheintz]

Been there, done that.... didn't damage anything. The continuous loop system is really nice because it keeps a bunch of line off the deck or cockpit, it's easy to use, etc. I have never used it to "reef" my headsail, imagine that it could do that in a pinch, say if I needed a stormsail.... but the shape would be all wrong. Of course, with a stormsail, who really cares about the fine points of shape!

You can check to see if there was any damage: can you wind her up and unwind her without problem? Then it's OK. BTW there are some setscrews which can be adjusted on the roller... you probably had weren't tightened all the way....