In Mast Furling Reefing Query

[dewent]

Our selden in mast furling works a treat furling and unfurling. On the furling winch at the mast there is lock that in one position allows the winch to rotate freely in or out, in the other it works as a ratchet only allowing the sail to be furled away. All good so far. However I am finding on days when the wind gets up the sail when partly reefed is unfurling i.e. the furling winch is allowing the furling line to slip and the pressure of the wind on the main is pulling more sail out! This is despite the continuos furling line passing through 2 locking cleats in the cockpit. Very undesirable as I end up with too much sail out in windy conditions. The only way to stop this unfurling is to go back to the mast and move the furling winch lock into the locked/ratchet position. Surely the whole idea of in mast furling is that the crew do not need to leave the cockpit to either furl on unfurl the sail?

Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[[2574]]

Interesting. My Selden kit is eighteen seasons old and I have been warned by my rigger that when the drum on the winch no longer grips the furling line, due to wear, there is no opportunity to fit a new drum as the kit is obsolete. Apparently it is new winch at that time. So far I have not experienced the sail forcing the drum to rotate when held tight by the furling line. The furling line is held tight on both sides of the drum with clutches in the cockpit. However, when it gets properly windy I do tend to go on deck and flip the lock over on the winch for double security, not great going on deck in those conditions but I like the security of the system being ratcheted off properly, no arguments.

Are you sure you have the right spec of furling line? By that I mean of adequate diameter and also in good condition? Can you get a larger size line through the winch so that the drum can grip more effectively?