Continuous line headsail furling

Fascadale

Fascadale

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I'm semi looking (only at the advert reading stage) at a 32 ft masthead sloop which is described as having "Continuous loop roller reefing on headsail. Works very well and can't jam"

I am not familiar with this system. Does anyone recognise it and/or have any comments. Thanks.

Here, I hope, is a photo of it.

390569_10_zps09a77c5f.jpg
 
I'd take the "can't jam" with a heavy pinch of salt. The jams caused by tangling the line round the drum are less common and far easier to solve than jams caused by tangled halyards above the top of the sail, whether that's the halyard shackle jamming or a spinnaker halyard getting caught.
 
Fascadale said:
Thanks for that swift response.........website says "no longer fitted"...........I wonder when it went out of production?
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Don't know, but it probably doesn't represent a problem with the continuous-line concept itself. They're still fitted on some quite expensive and racy yachts.

Unlike Rupert, the majority of jams I've experienced have been at the drum end, though I agree they're easier to fix than problems at the halyard end.

Pete
 
Got one, had it 20+ years. Works fine. There is a splice in the continuous line which does harden with age so that it becomes more difficult for it to bend round the drum. So when setting up at the beginning of the season you make sure the splice is back by the cockpit when the sail is unfurled. This means the sail is furled before the splice reaches the drum. So very simple. Like other reefing systems, it needs a halliard offset but that was part of the kit supplied by Sailspar so presumably is fitted. It is a very effective system, lots less string about than other systems. they were based at Brightlingsea so the system is very common around her.
 
tillergirl said:
Got one, had it 20+ years. Works fine. There is a splice in the continuous line which does harden with age so that it becomes more difficult for it to bend round the drum. So when setting up at the beginning of the season you make sure the splice is back by the cockpit when the sail is unfurled. This means the sail is furled before the splice reaches the drum. So very simple. Like other reefing systems, it needs a halliard offset but that was part of the kit supplied by Sailspar so presumably is fitted. It is a very effective system, lots less string about than other systems. they were based at Brightlingsea so the system is very common around her.
Click to expand...
Ditto
I fitted mine about 12 years ago, never had a moments trouble. A very good and well engineered bit of kit.
 
I had one on my previous boat, a Jaguar 27. Worked well, the only modification was to fit a clutch to the 'furling' side of the endless line. Fitted a Rutgerson clutch as it was the only one you could dismantle and fit onto an endless line. Actually bought from the Rutgerson rep who was demonstrating it to staff at Foxs in Ipswich - I just walked in at the right time, I believe Spinlock do one now. Essential to fit this clutch as it was very difficult to cleat the rope before taking another pull.
Very good furler and had good service from Sailspar in Brightlingsea.
Also fitted a clutch to my Rotostay furler on my current boat.
 
An excellent bit of kit and very highly recomended. In the event of needing after sales it's a great bonus to be able to talk direcly with the people who designed and made the equipment, and especially when they're very helpful.
 
I could be wrong but didn't a company called Austin Farrar originally come up with the continuous line reefing, probably 20 or 30 years ago.
 
Its only limitation is the size of headsail to which it can be fitted - generally below 400ft2.
Much less string to get mixed up in the cockpit, far fewer drum-jam problems...
I only wish I could use it on my headsails (I have to have a snubbing winch for the genoas).
 
I think that the one listed as "no longer fitted" is the Sailspar original. The current version has an integral bottle screw so that the length of forestay can be adjusted more easily. This is not a problem provided you get the length correct when first fitting, after that it's not important.
Agree with the comments about being helpful people.
When I fitted mine, halfway through the process it started to rain and the instructions dissolved. A phone call to them resulted in a step by step guide and the offer to come over and show me. [Brightlingsea to Burnham!] I can't imaging Plastimo making that offer.:)
One comment that Sailspar made was, if your boatyard aren't familiar with the system then remove the pulleys and furling line youself before the yard remove the mast. It has been known for yard guys to cut the line when removing the gear.
 
I've got one too. Works beautifully and has never jammed, though I need to move the splice away from the drum next spring ... the last couple of rolls were tougher this year. Although I got mine third hand with the boat, Sailspar have been extremely friendly and helpful on the couple of occasions I have needed to ask them about it - how to service it (they sent me a manual) and what rope to use (Liros).
 
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