Jib reefing systems with internal halyard.

[Muddy Boat]

I have an aged Holt Allen jib furler on my Aerorig and have been looking at potential replacements. I am struggling to find manufacturers that supply systems with an internal halyard for hoisting the jib (I don't have the option of a mast based halyard) and was wondering whether anyone could offer suggestions.

I would be happy to look at the option of a good secondhand unit if there is a decent quality product that is no longer in production.

The jib is small (circa 7m luff and 5" drum), so doesn't need to be overly industrial!

Only one I have found so far is CDI, but UK supply /support seems sparse.

Any other bright ideas?

 

[prv]

Could you perhaps use a standard system with a swivel, secure the upper side of the swivel to the top fitting of the stay, and shackle a small block to the lower side? Then run the halyard through that block?

Pete

 

[Muddy Boat]

Thanks Pete, It is a good idea and one that I hadn't thought about but presumably does mean that the halyard would be outside the foil and thus constantly rubbing on the sail - unless you have a bright solution for that too ;-)

I will look at how I might execute this in practice.

 

[VicS]

Thanks Pete, It is a good idea and one that I hadn't thought about but presumably does mean that the halyard would be outside the foil and thus constantly rubbing on the sail - unless you have a bright solution for that too ;-)

I will look at how I might execute this in practice.

My headsail reefing spar , like some other small headsail reefing spars from the same era, has the halyard running back outside the spar. It does not tend to rub against the sail. One of the disadvantages is in fact a "bowstring effect" which limits tensioning of the sail and causes a somewhat hollow luff.

The difficulty with Pete's suggestion might be securing the swivel at the top of the spar

I was even aware that headsail reefing gear with the halyard returning inside the spar even existed. Ive obviously not seen a Holt Allen furler!

 

[Nigel_Ward]

http://www.profurl.com/fiche-A|PROFURL|C260-0201010000000000-theme-UK.html

The smallest Profurl has an internl halyard. I fitted on to my old Dehler 22. About 6.8m on the luff.

They are very good bits of kit.

One problem is that the forestay has to pass down the tube which is very small. I got one made up with an eye only to pass through the tube then attached a separate fork and toggle.

 

[Poignard]

My headsail reefing spar , like some other small headsail reefing spars from the same era, has the halyard running back outside the spar. It does not tend to rub against the sail. One of the disadvantages is in fact a "bowstring effect" which limits tensioning of the sail and causes a somewhat hollow luff.

I have an early Rotostay where the wire halyard passes up from the head of the sail to a swivel with a sheave in it, then down the forward side of the foil to a tensioning lanyard attached to the drum. Any tendency for the forestay to slacken when the lanyard is tensioned is counteracted by a very simple backstay tensioner consisting of a tackle which pulls the twin backstays together.

 

[Muddy Boat]

Some great suggestions here - thanks.

I have looked into modifying a regular furler (as per Pete) and the ones I have studied require quite a lot of forestay length (circa 80cm) to allow for the drum and top swivel which I am not sure I can loose on mine. The Profurl option looks interesting and I thought reasonably priced. It would just require raiding the piggy bank! I will also look into the earlier Rotostay system.

So, if anyone is upgrading (especially from a Profurl C260).... ;-)

Cheers people.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My headsail reefing spar , like some other small headsail reefing spars from the same era, has the halyard running back outside the spar. It does not tend to rub against the sail. One of the disadvantages is in fact a "bowstring effect" which limits tensioning of the sail and causes a somewhat hollow luff.

I have the same problem - and possibly the same system - on my Hunter 490. I'm thinking of using a 2:1 purchase at the top of the spar, which would double the luff tension, or, if you like, halve the bowstring tension.