Headsail gets caught on radar mount when tacking problem

[00Si00]

Ive not long mounted a new radome attached with mount just above the spreaders on the mast. After sailing in light winds with the furling headsail pulled right out I have discovered that every time or nearly every time I tack the sail gets caught on the radome mount. I then have to go forward onto the deck to untangle the leech from the radome. As i can't be the only one who has or has had this annoying problem thought I might post to find out if there are any work arounds. Maybe there is someone out there who could point me in the right direction.
Thanks

 

[captainslarty]

what sort of boat, radome, any pics.. I have never had a problem with mine.

 

[damo]

2 quick thoughts :

Furl the sail a bit before tacking, like if you had a staysail.

Fit a hoop to the radar mount so it deflects the sail as it goes through

 

[Victorious]

Often this problem can be cured simply by timing of when/ how fast you let the jibsheet go.
letting the sheet fly means the sail flogs through the tack giving it max opportunity to snag on things
East the sheet a little as you throw the helm over, Then reaease it when it has backed a bit.
Eased sheet and wind backing it forces curve into the sail and thus leech is closer to the forestay. When sheet is let fly the wind takes the leech past the dome before it has a chance to snag.

 

[captainslarty]

good point, yes, it could simply be technique.

Joe

 

[00Si00]

Cor that was very quick! Im sure you have guessed that im pretty inexperienced when it comes to these things but its nice to know that im not forced into buying something else to cure the problem, just hone my skills instead- Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Adamastor]

Get hold of Sparcraft, the mast ppl. They (out here, anyway) have a fantastic factory who will make you up some hoops to go over and under your radome. If you,ve got heeyuge overlap on your headsail/s, they will schnarl anything. Hold the jib backed for a moment longerand it'll balloon past the radome, hopefully. But it's not polite to sail upwind, anyway, is it?

 

[moody1]

Simple answer is as per Victorious reply, only difference is we don't ease sheet before tacking. The method of backing the jib and letting it fill before letting first sheet go, and quickly winding in next - is fastest tack you'll ever have. The Jib not only clears snags such as stays / radome etc. - but also pushes boats head through the wind reducing the chance of failing to tack.
A lot of older sluggish boats benefit from this tactic. We also used it on race boats we have crewed / helmed. Surprised a few so-called experts as well.