easy roller reefing?

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tonyg

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In a previous thread I wondered about using a r/r system with a difference and have nearly put it into practice. The drum is a v pulley- gives good grip on the line. The line is an endless single loop so you can wind forever with no build-of turns on drum. It works in the garden, rigged on a double extension ladder, and rolls up a big genny quite neatly. Have yet to try it on the boat! Comments welcome
 
Interested to know if it works .....

The only thought that has crossed my mind is the tesnion on the sail when trying to roll in / out .... is the V pulley and line sufficient grip to overcome the sails power and also enough grip to keep the sail at a part reefed state. I would assume that the endless line will be held tight / taut into the V pulley somehow ? otherwise above will take over and sail will completely unfurl. The drum and line that is on normal systems is there for various reasons ... the main being that you have positive grip and "lock" on the furling gear by use of sheets and line against each other.

The only other application similar that I can think of that has endless loop is a mainsail in-mast furling system ... but that was like a spiral wound drum and line ... so that tension was always there.
 
Isn't the "Sailspar" system like that? Don't know about the "V" pulley but it has an endless line. I think the line has several turns round the drum and a few outer pulleys to keep it in contact but I've never looked inside one.
 
Re: easy roller reefing? .... my concern is ...

The use of a single turn round the pulley ....
 
Re: easy roller reefing? .... my concern is ...

Yes, I did try a couple of turns round the drum but it doesn't seems necessary, the v gives a good grip, and, I went up to 8mm line,- comfortable and more surface for gripping. Also, ref the holding when partially reefed, I reckon to simply cleat the doubled line. Time will tell if the drum then slips in a big blow, and, in which case reduce line size and double up.
 
The Sailspar system uses a grooved v drum with a single endless line around it. I've had one for 25 years, it's done thousands of miles including an Atlantic circuit, and is on its SECOND line and set of bottom bearings. IMHO, it's a brill bit of kit.
 
Hear hear. It has several advantages, the line is 12mm so it's easy to grip, there are no turns to ride up and jam in the drum and no mass of rope in the cockpit. Lovely bit of kit.
 
First systems were mainly ....

All or nothing reefing .... ie Wyckham Martin Gear .......... never designed to hold a partially furled sail. With the advent of later designs and improvements partial furling became possible and safe.

I don't knock the original post ... I hope it works ... as I get fed up sometimes when furling that sail furls away differently and I get bunched line etc. run out of line etc. .......
 
We have Sailspar on our Albin Vega. I worry about replacing the line if it snaps, as there is no way I can do an invisible splice to make a new loop. When we get to the Canaries we plan to buy enough line to use it as a conventional system if the continuous loop snaps, at least until we get into somewhere with a competent rigger.

The system works well once you understand it is necessary to secure both sides of the line - otherwise it can unfurl in strong conditions. This became much easier after I attached the rear pulley to a loop of bungee cord. I also find it difficult to go from reefed to more reefed without the sail all coming out and starting from scratch, which can be iffy in very high winds.

Any hints and tips from other Sailspar users greatfully received.

- Nick
 
Sailspar publish the instructions for making the splice in the rope they supply- can't remember what it is as it's on the boat but I could get it next time I'm down the yard and send it to you- PM me if you want, though it might be a few weeks, and I'm sure Sailspar will oblige if you ask them as well- very helpful peeps in my experience. However, as I said, ours has done thouseands of miles and the first one went round the pond and then some, so I wouldn't worry too much about it snapping. I have the furling line rigged as you suggest, on a single block on a longish piece of bungey, in such a way that I can get it round a small winch at the front of the cockpit- not for hauling in so much as snubbing out if setting more sail if it's still a bit brisk. Works fine. Also find playing with the halyard tension makes a difference in ease of operation, as it seems to like it "just right"- not too tight or too loose.
 
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