Electric Furling

[jerrytug]

I don't think they are designed to remove the need to luff up when furling. Your problems sound like misuse rather than misdesign to me.

No ,not misuse, just some inherent issues using electric furling.
Although misuse happens, and a device which is capable of hurting itself, other gear, or the crew, if misused, needs thinking about carefully.

 

[knuterikt]

I don't think they are designed to remove the need to luff up when furling. Your problems sound like misuse rather than misdesign to me.

You think these instructions are wrong? (source http://www.seldenmast.com/files/597-132-E.pdf)

5.2 Unfurling the sail

1. Release the furling line and the windward genoa sheet. Allow these to run freely while the sail is being unfurled.
2. For a controlled unfurling manoeuvre, it is best to place a turn of the furling line around a winch or a halfturn around a cleat. This introduces some drag, which is particularly useful in stronger wind.
3. Place a turn of the leeward genoa sheet around a winch and unfurl the sail by pulling in the sheet. Once the wind catches the sail it will unfurl more easily. The best point of sail for unfurling is between close reach and beam reach, as the wind will then fill the sail quickly.
4. Place a few more turns of the sheet around the winch and sheet the sail in to the desired trim.

5.3 Furling the sail

1. Release the windward sheet and ensure that it can run freely.
2. Furl the sail by pulling the furling line. Release the leeward sheet but keep a little tension on it, for example by placing a turn around a winch. It is important to furl the sail tightly and evenly, as a sail which is furled too loosely can blow out a little in strong winds. If the boat is left unattended, the sail may flap until it tears. A very loosely furled sail may also cause unnecessary wear, as the sail roll will swing back and forth in the wind.
3. Belay the furling line carefully. If the boat is left unattended, the furling line should be belayed on a cleat for safety.

Nothing on luffing up to furl?

 

[lustyd]

You think these instructions are wrong? (source http://www.seldenmast.com/files/597-132-E.pdf)



Nothing on luffing up to furl?

No but it does say to release tension on the sheet which is effectively what I was talking about. The other post was saying that they trip the breaker when windy or could rip sails - a well controlled sail and boat shouldn't allow this situation to happen and even when it does it's no different with electric furling than with someone winching a manual one in. My purpose was more to defend the furler than to attack jerrytug's sailing ability

 

[dom]

You think these instructions are wrong?

Gosh, Selden have obviously not proof read their text. Letting the furling line run freely in light winds is the best possible way to create a monumental snarl-up when one later wants to furl!

 

[prv]

Gosh, Selden have obviously not proof read their text. Letting the furling line run freely in light winds is the best possible way to create a monumental snarl-up when one later wants to furl!

I think it's poorly translated, rather than wrong to begin with. The following line says to apply a little tension using a winch or cleat, which shows they don't really mean "run freely".

I agree that you shouldn't need to change course to furl a headsail - the foil is revolving and it doesn't care what direction the hull underneath it happens to be pointing. You just need to let the sail spill the wind by easing away the sheet.

Pete

 

[prv]

No but it does say to release tension on the sheet which is effectively what I was talking about.

It may have been what you were thinking of, but it's not what you said

Pete

 

[knuterikt]

Gosh, Selden have obviously not proof read their text. Letting the furling line run freely in light winds is the best possible way to create a monumental snarl-up when one later wants to furl!

Read once more

it is best to place a turn of the furling line around a winch or a halfturn around a cleat.

 

[lustyd]

It may have been what you were thinking of, but it's not what you said

Pete

bloody forum pedants you're both quite right of course...