Can excessive mast bend be the cause of my jamming in mast furling ?

[wklein]

+1 mast should be straight which is why it is best to have a backstay tensioner to bend the mast only when needed.

Why would you ever want to bend the mast? The luff spar will remain straight with mast bending around it. It will have no positive effect on mainsail. Headsail will get a bit tighter to a point but for most people not worth the expense or hassle. Just set up forestay as tight as possible without bend and leave it alone.

 

[tudorsailor]

FWIW A mainsail cut for in mast furling should allow the foot of the sail to rise in a helix as the sail is furled. I was told by Dolphin to set the boom to 8 degrees above horzontal to encourage the foot to rise up as it is furled. This is so that the seem does roll ontop of itself and become excessively fat. So I marked the topping lift with some whipping. I always release the vang and then set the topping lift to my mark before furling or unfurling

TS