Leech line and in-mast furling

[tudorsailor]

I have 49 footer with in-mast furling. I am now approaching the end on my first year of boat ownership and am just beginning to rise up the learning curve

The main sail has a leech line. I have been told by someone that I should sail with the line tight, but loosen it to furl the main away. Is this right? How practical is it to loosen the line while at sea prior to furling?

Thanks

Boyd

 

[sailorfred]

Yes it would be better for the sail if you ease the leech line, this should present no majour problem when at sea.

Having unfurled the sail you want to pull the line just tight enough to stop the leach flapping

 

[steve_cronin]

How does he do that?

(either of "that")

There you are, head to wind with the leach line jammer a couple of feet (at least) over your head, (unless you're sailing a midget yacht) slatting from side to side, trying to get a hold of it before your mainsail wrecks itself.

OR

"Having unfurled the sail..." with the boom having taken the leach (and the jammer) now supposedly to a sailing angle so as to be able to experience the "flapping" you describe - obviously not possible whilst head to wind - how do you reach the jammer (OK I can't remember the posh term for it - no sailing club of merit ever let me join!) unless you have the arms of a gorilla?

It is a useful bit of kit but not really user-friendly.

Steve Cronin

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: How does he do that?

Clever sailmakers run the leech line around the clew and back along the foot to the tack, so that it can be adjusted from the mast.

However, whether a roller blind should have the leech line let off before roling, I have no idea.

 

[flaming]

Re: How does he do that?

Even cleverer sailmakers run it over the head of the sail and down the luff so that adjusting the outhall doesn't change the leach line tension.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: How does he do that?

Harumph. Yes, you're right. And all bets are off on a roller furker anyway coz once the first roll goes into the luff, the clever sailmaker's adjustments will lock up.

 

[flaming]

Re: How does he do that?

Well exactly.

Don't ever remember seeing a leach line on a roller furler the few times I've sailed one.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: How does he do that?

No, the bergers are cut so flat they barely need one!