Roller Reefing Headsail - Hard turning

[knuterikt]

Yes without load.

Take the sail down, put a line between the top swivel and the tack attachment on the drum.
put some tension on the halyard and try turn the furler.

 

[Rosie1963]

its a Jeckells' "Bulldog" genoa furling gear

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

That is not entirely correct. If the backstay or aft shrouds are not tight enough the forestay can sag considerably & the aluminium foil cannot stop that. That makes it harder to rotate.

Ok. I was assuming (perhaps rashly) that the forestay and backstay were already properly tensioned so as to keep the profile from sagging. Once that is established, what I wrote about too much halyard tension holds true - according to the recommendations by Facnor (previous boat) and Goiot (present boat).