Rookie Question on Furling Headsail

[scubascooter]

Ok, I have a simple question but one I haven't found if there is one best way of doing this.

We have removed the furling headsail while we are not near boat for some time. When we get back to go sailing do we bend on headsail while tied up at dock and furl. This would be during light winds and not allowing sail to get out of control.

Or

Are we better off motoring out and doing this as per a hanked on headsail.

My main concerns is that bending onto furler while on the water will be difficult if jamming occurs and more prone to stronger wind or is this not an issue with most furling systems.

I have searched the site and furler systems websites and instructions to see what is recommended but maybe this is a real rookie question!!

thanks

Scott

[callmecrazy]

I'm sure at the dock will be fine. just keep tension on it...

[James S]

Same....the dock is fine.

[scubascooter]

Thanks Guys,

Just needed some reassurance I am doing the right thing and not have the marina neighbours thinking I am about to let a sail and halyards start wrapping around them.

Thinking about it you could probably start a thread on "What are you stupid neighbours doing"

Scott

[MarkSF]

I've found it a 2-person job, installing the jib in the furler : one to feed the luff into the furler's slot, and the other to man the halyard. So that means it's best done at the dock, I think.

[James S]

For us it was also a two person job.

[Blue Stocking]

Watch out for the clew ring. Even in a light breeze, it can whip about your head. I put a piece of light line thru it for control.

[Vasco]

Lube the luff tape. It'll go up a lot easier.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Lube the luff tape. It'll go up a lot easier.

-cuts the effort in half.

[SVMorningStar]

What do you lube it with?

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by SVMorningStar

What do you lube it with?

McLube Sailcoat or any teflon lube will do.

[Paul Elliott]

It's a lot easier if you wait until there's little or no wind, and what wind there is is coming from the bow. Do make sure the lufftape feeds properly into the foil -- one time I let it get twisted back on itself and by the time I figured out why there was so much resistance it was pretty well wedged in the foil. It took some brute force to pull it back down. Definitely better done as a two-person job.

[BentP]

On my Furlex there is a very nice little feeder, so it has allways been a one-person job. And in a light head-wind it is really not a problem.

Best of luck,