Furling / unfulring in mast main sail - Describe your technique

C

cmedsailor

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Sep 2007
Messages
1,830
Location
East Med...
Visit site
Could you please describe the technique you have found that works best in furling (mainly) and unfurling an in mast furling main sail? Please also state the brand of the mast (eg Selden, Sparcraft etc).
Thanks
 
Selden in mast. Just follow the instructions in their manual.

To unfurl set the selector on the mast to "Out" and pull on the outhaul. Best done without a lot of wind pulling on the sail and then you can just let it free flow, as opposing to slowing the unfurl.

To furl, put the selector on the mast to "In". Maintain very loose tension on the outhaul (to ensure a tight wrap) and then pull the furling line. Best done with a little wind in the sail as this help maintain a tight wrap.

One further hint. Get the boom close to right angle to the mast when you do this - that help prevent creasing as you furl.
 
I am glad you have mentioned two things for furling: a. Very loose tension on outhaul and b. boom close to right angle.
I also have a furling mast from sparcraft (ocean model with additional truck for "classic" main sail). My main sail has become loose and baggy (already ordered a new one) so I have a feeling that the amount of outhaul tension on the outhaul is very critical (and maybe the most important issue) and sometimes I get it wrong. I sometimes maintain quite a lot of tension on the outhaul which according to various books that makes the middle of the sail baggy when furling in.
Regarding boom angle, I also always keep the boom at right angle (never touch the topping lift) but a lot of people (and books) insist on raising the boom above 90 degrees.
Just wondering what other people think.
Also what about facing directly the wind or keep some wind pressure on the sail? I have found out that both methods work.
Thanks
 
cmedsailor said:
I am glad you have mentioned two things for furling: a. Very loose tension on outhaul and b. boom close to right angle.
I also have a furling mast from sparcraft (ocean model with additional truck for "classic" main sail). My main sail has become loose and baggy (already ordered a new one) so I have a feeling that the amount of outhaul tension on the outhaul is very critical (and maybe the most important issue) and sometimes I get it wrong. I sometimes maintain quite a lot of tension on the outhaul which according to various books that makes the middle of the sail baggy when furling in.
Regarding boom angle, I also always keep the boom at right angle (never touch the topping lift) but a lot of people (and books) insist on raising the boom above 90 degrees.
Just wondering what other people think.
Also what about facing directly the wind or keep some wind pressure on the sail? I have found out that both methods work.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I think all your problems would be attributable to your baggy main. With the new one, most will go away.
 
In Mast Furling.

I have Kemp / Selden.

I did have problems with a sail, and had it re-cut, since when, I have had no bother. Just open the clutches, and pull. I haven't found the angle of the boom to be an issue. The outhaul is made fast to the traveller, then through a sheave at the clew, then round a sheave in the end of the boom, along the boom, down to the base of the mast, and then back to the clutch. I presume that this is standard. It means that the boom height is fairly independent from the sail, so there is no need to worry about the angle it makes to the mast.

When furling, I do keep a little tension on the outhaul, with my knee, but really the friction in the system, with having so many turning points, generally takes care of it. Obviously the sheet must be totally free, so that there is no wind in the sail, in fact I find that the flapping helps the traveller to move.

I have found it to be an excellent system. I don't have any battens, so there is a loss of sail area, and the sail has to be cut very flat, but use of the outhaul gives good control of the shape of the sail.
 
Chris, yes indeed my old sail causes me troubles when furling, though when I am careful (this is an operation performed 99% by me) 4 out 5 times furling / unfurling is OK.
However, I am now concern how will I be able to keep creases away from my (first!!) new sail (quantic, tri-radial using "square" cloth) and experiment how to find the perfect technique.
 
cmedsailor said:
Chris, yes indeed my old sail causes me troubles when furling, though when I am careful (this is an operation performed 99% by me) 4 out 5 times furling / unfurling is OK.
However, I am now concern how will I be able to keep creases away from my (first!!) new sail (quantic, tri-radial using "square" cloth) and experiment how to find the perfect technique.
Click to expand...

This came up a while back. If you want to roll away loosely to prevent creating creases, then you can make the roll smaller after fully furling, by locking off the outhaul and putting quarter or half a turn on the furling line round the winch. (Or even by hand). This will turn the centre in, much like rolling up a poster and turning the inside to make the roll smaller. This should work well on a new sail. Slacken off the halyard a tiny bit first just to preserve the sail.
But check with the sail maker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top