Roller/Reefing

[wstokes]

I have noticed that over the years that I have used a furling system on my boat that there is no written guidance as to how one should reef/furl while sailing. So I will put this question out there. What is the proper way to reef/furl a genoa/jib while sailing and the wind condition is getting worse?

 

[simonfraser]

nahh, you have to kind of use your own judgement / common sense

if the spreader bars are touching the waves you've probably got too much sail up

you could just put an extra crew member on the rails

or just pull the furling line, remember to let the genoa sheet of first

)

 

[26ft_bathtub]

I your spreaders are touching the water, Simon, you're a bit past reefing, I should think /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

 

[Gordon]

Well.... it's getting that way......after the government roller reefing guidance leaflet there will be guidance on how to open a tin o' beans.

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
...over the years that I have used a furling system ..

[/ QUOTE ]

If you have used a furling genoa for years you must have learnt how to use it so I don't really understand what it is you want to know. Do you think you might be doing it wrongly, or is your gear not working properly?

The only way I know of is to ease out the lee sheet whilst hauling in on the furling line. Continue until you have the required amount of sail out, then belay the furling line, adjust the position of the genoa sheet blocks to suit the new position of the clew then harden in the lee sheet as necessary. If you let the sheet fly instead of easing it out the sail will flog and shorten it's life, also the flailing sheets might get snagged on something. If you want to spill some of the wind out of the sail you can luff a bit, if you have sea room, but not so the sail flogs.

Also make sure your furling gear and any lead blocks are well-maintained and free running. Also use the thickest furling line you can so that you get a better grip.

 

[jonathankent]

[ QUOTE ]
Also make sure your furling gear and any lead blocks are well-maintained and free running.

[/ QUOTE ]
how true.... haven't used mine for a few weeks and the drum has got a bit stiff, i.e. when pulling in the sheet the whole drum wants to turn around, but when holding the drum the sail will unfurl easily.... I think a bit of lubrication is called for.

 

[wstokes]

The method that TwistedOwner talks about is the method that I use and that I wanted to find out if I was doing it wrong, as I have had two instances now where the foil extrusion twisted and I am trying to determine what could cause this.

 

[Poignard]

Thoughts:-
1. May be the upper bearing is not operating freely?

2. Is the furling gear the right type for the sail area in use?

 

[wstokes]

On another thread, I just posted that the manufacturer of my furling system has just emailed me and that they have changed the type of aluminum they used for their foil sections to a stronger grade. They are shipping me a complete new foil using this new aluminum at no cost to me. They have identified a possible problem and are correcting it. The manufacturer is "ALADO"