Jamming inmast furler

[fossill]

I have an unknown make in mast furling system. Outhauling the mainsail has always been difficult but now impossible! The problem seems to be twofold. The sail is old and has a bit of ‘belly’. When out-hauling the furling foil with the sail furled round is drawn to the slot in the mast reducing the space for the sail to exit the mast.The sail also comes out with the next wrap of sail at the same time causing a jam. It can take up to a day to tease the sail out. Can the furling foil be tightened up so it is not slack and doesn’t pull towards the slot. When I had the mast horizontal after un- stepping the sail virtually fell out of the slot!
Most grateful for ideas/cures etc

 

[Supertramp]

You have sort of answered your own question!

I have an old sail on an old Selden furler and I achieved the same as you by furling the sail badly in strong wind. The cure was to tighten the furling rod in the mast and to make sure I watch the sail furling and avoid trapping a fold. If the sail is too old that might be impossible and replacement will be needed.

I also keep a note by my furling line to remind me to raise the topping lift a bit when furling to avoid overtensioning the leach and encouraging folds. It also goes better when I furl and unfurl on starboard tack because of the smoother entry/exit from the mast.

You will need to identify your system and find out how to tension - it might not be obvious!

 

[Aquanaught]

If your furling system is a Selden make then the foil tension can be adjusted so it does not move so much - pages 4/5 in attached Selden manual. If indeed your sail is old with a "belly" then the problem is creases can form when furling away which can jam when next outhauling. I lived with one of these for several seasons - careful furling away keeping tension on the outhaul can mitigate to a certain extent but in the end there is only one solution...