Don't you just love it when this happens....

[rudolph_hart]

Blackwater 3pm yesterday, near Doctor.

<a href="http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/rudolph_hart/?action=view&current=IMG_0035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/rudolph_hart/IMG_0035.jpg" border="0" alt="furler 2"></a>

The furler drum is below deck in anchor locker. After jumping off the drum, it wound around the foil above until the coils jammed under the deck.

<a href="http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/rudolph_hart/?action=view&current=IMG_0035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv2/rudolph_hart/IMG_0035.jpg" border="0" alt="furler 2"></a>

After sorting this lot I think I'm halfway qualified for a career change to become a gynacologist!

 

[MoodySabre]

Here you are.

Oh dear.

 

[Artemis_C2121]

know the feeling

Although our is about the deck has a habbit of jumping off if we dont keep a little temsion on it more so when running in light winds.

Would have thought that in yesterdays blow you would have been ok.

Did SWMBO enjoy your trip back.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Moodysabre: thanks for sorting out the image (it really seems to be very hard work to get the images on here).

Artemis: it wasn't until after Marconi SC that there was enough of a lee behind the main to get the foresail down and tied to the lifelines, and I thoroughly enjoyed the helming the sleigh-ride until then! As for SWMBO - although she was a bit scared she made a good job of helming while I was up forward.

Took over an hour to sort out the mess once back in the comparative shelter on the mooring at West Mersea.

Think I need a new furling line ....

 

[MoodySabre]

Is the fault of the line? The trouble this happens when the jib flogs but it shouldn't jump off the drum - although mine has too. At least I can see mine and stop winding it up. This is one advantage of the single continuous line types of furler - tie of the line and it can't jump.

Don't know the answer.

(Posting pics is just like the old forum. Go to your User CP and Settings Options and right at the bottom you can change the editor from Basic to Standard. This then gives you the same functions as the old forum and the smilies. You can upload thumbnails straight from your PC using the "Manage Attachments" or by pasting the Photobucket Image Tag straight into your post)

 

[Artemis_C2121]

Did think of trying thicker rope on mine but when fully furled the drum is full to capacity so think it would give more problems than it would cure as with Moodysabre I can see mine so rather than start hauling and it then jamming on days when the head sails flogs around I keep quite a bit of tension on the furling line.

Have considered trying to make up some sort of plastic ring that would drop inside the retaining basket on the furler

Ho Hum another thing to add to the to do list

 

[rudolph_hart]

These below-deck drums do leave a clear foredeck, but are a bitch when the mast needs to come out, and when something like this happens. This is the first time in 5 years of ownership of this one, but it happened a couple of times with the above-deck Furlex on the previous boat, and once with the above-deck Harken unit on the boat before that.

What is curious about this unit (Topp Reff - never heard of it before) is how small the drum is - the 8mm furling line in the photo shows this. So I agree that a thicker line would fill it up too soon and cause an even worse jam.

I think the cause is twofold:

1. The arm that supports the bullseye fairlead to the drum is not strong enough and is bending upwards and causing the line to be 'fed' onto the upper part of the drum.

2. The furling line runs through a s/steel tube built into the hull, that runs the length of the boat, from a coaming clutch bank beside the wheel and exiting inside the chain locker. The resulting extra wear has reduced the line's thickness enough to allow it to pass between the drum and the guide (cage).

So, it's a new 8mm Dyneema line, and a fix to stop the arm bending (you know, one of those "I'll just...." 10 minute jobs that will take all day!)