Reefing line size for Selden 400s

[superboots]

My genoa furler has developed a tendency for the line to jam in the drum. I have tried the usual stuff checking angle of rope to drum entry and furling under tension but I feel unconfident about it. So thinking to change reefing line from standard polyester braid 12mm to an 8mm Dyneema core with polyester braid. Has anyone done this and how did it turn out

 

[BabaYaga]

Not exactly answering your question, but Liros makes a tapering line that might solve your problem.
I use the 9/6mm variant on a much smaller furler, works well.
Taper Pro, 11 mm | www.liros.com

 

[vyv_cox]

Not sure what size sail a 400s furler carries but 12 mm seems very large for a furling line. Mine has always been 8 mm for a Facnor 180, for which I use very cheap Greek DIY shop rope.

 

[dansaskip]

I thought that 12mm sounded on the large size. Mine uses 8mm- but I is a smaller model. Out of interest I checked the Seldon specs for a 400 and it is indeed 12mm.
Maybe your furling line is old and stiff? perhaps even furry? which might account for jams. Why not take it off and give it a good wash to get rid of all the salt etc. It makes a surprising difference to the handling of ropes. Worth a try and cheaper than a new rope, especially dyneema. I do this every year to my ropes.

 

[duncan99210]

Like Vyv I use 8mm as a furling line on my Bavaria 38: it’s about as small as is comfortable to handle but rolls nicely onto the drum when the sail is let out. 12mm seems to me to be very large diameter and therefore prone to jams. I‘ve not found any problem with the strength of the line, despite having to use the winch to furl the sail in strong winds.

 

[BabaYaga]

for which I use very cheap Greek DIY shop rope.

Hopefully the quality of that line is not on par with its price, as not being able to safely reef or furl the headsail can be very inconvenient or even dangerous in a blow.
I read an account of a boat caught in a gale where the crew suddenly discovered that the furling line to the already partly furled head sail had almost chafed through. Not daring to touch the line, they had to ride out the gale severely over canvassed.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hopefully the quality of that line is not on par with its price, as not being able to safely reef or furl the headsail can be very inconvenient or even dangerous in a blow.
I read an account of a boat caught in a gale where the crew suddenly discovered that the furling line to the already partly furled head sail had almost chafed through. Not daring to touch the line, they had to ride out the gale severely over canvassed.

I have been using it for years, changed occasionally. It is a rare occurrence for a winch to be needed and it would be pretty poor rope that could not withstand the puny power that my arms can generate.

Cheapness does not automatically = poor quality. It is not bad stuff for general purpose use.

 

[superboots]

One thought I have had since posting is will the 8mm line grip the self tailer in the winch? ( can't remember the size - maybe a 40. Its usually impossible to reef the genoa by hand in any but the lightest of winds.

 

[Bobc]

I use 10mm on my 400s, which works better than 12mm, as it doesn't get stuck and there is less friction. Not dyneema or anything flash, just standard braid on braid.

 

[noelex]

We have the same furler. My wife who is a knot/spicing guru prescribed stripping the core from our furling line.

Flat rather than circular line is apparently the key to eliminating jams on furling drums and this is achieved when the core is removed. Where the line passes through the clutch the core was left so the clutch grips the line normally.

Anyway it has worked perfectly for several years.

 

[superboots]

Probably the way to go is to change the line to standard polyester braid 10mm . Thanks for the contributions

 

[Bobc]

Probably the way to go is to change the line to standard polyester braid 10mm . Thanks for the contributions

Has worked for me for the last 20 years.