Rolling a furlong headsail.

[Kukri]

Is it better to luff to take the power out of the sail or to bear off?

I hate the spill chequer in my iPhone which “corrects” what I write without telling me.

I can’t see how to correct the title.

NB - iPhone- it’s not a “curling” headsail either...

 

[NotBirdseye]

Might be better to get a shorter headsail.

Most 'traditional' (taught) advice seems to be to luff it and my practical experience so far is that everyone has largely headed into the wind.

 

[lw395]

Depends on the furling gear perhaps?
My Harken Mk2 gear, the destructions were quite clear that it was OK to winch the furling line, provided one was sure everything was in order. Winding in some sail prior to heading up worked very well, in the common circumstance of sailing a broad reach with plenty of genoa out and wanting to reduce in order to sail higher.
Lesser furling gear may not allow this.

It's generally easier to get a nice smooth furl with the sail full rather than flapping, and there's less wind in the sail running rather than closehauled, due to the much reduced apparent wind.

 

[westhinder]

The nice thing about a furling genoa surely is that you can furl or unfurl it on every point of sail. Just let go the sheet to take the power out of the sail and furl it. You will quickly know just how much tension to keep on the sheet to furl it tidily.

 

[James_Calvert]

No need to luff. Just let it fly until enough power goes out of it.

But watch out for the lazy sheet which will do its best to lassoe anything within range.

 

[dunedin]

Big boat guidance that I have always heard is to bear away for furling a large headsail - for two reasons, (a) it reduces the apparent windspeed and (b) the sail is part blanketed behind the mainsail. Never to luff.
But probably less important in a small boat.

 

[NotBirdseye]

Ah, I wasn't aware we were talking about a large boat o.o no experience whatsoever there.

 

[Kukri]

Big boat guidance that I have always heard is to bear away for furling a large headsail - for two reasons, (a) it reduces the apparent windspeed and (b) the sail is part blanketed behind the mainsail. Never to luff.
But probably less important in a small boat.

That is what I do. I was surprised to see people doing otherwise.

 

[Benny257]

I furl at any point of sail on my 25 footer. I never winch.

 

[dunedin]

Big boat guidance that I have always heard is to bear away for furling a large headsail - for two reasons, (a) it reduces the apparent windspeed and (b) the sail is part blanketed behind the mainsail. Never to luff.
But probably less important in a small boat.

Actually I forgot the third reason for heading downwind before furling: (c) reduces tension on forestay, which makes furling easier (on boats with hydraulic backstay, often need to ease this before furling).
All three factors make easier to furl downwind, and harder to furl if luff upwind.

 

[lw395]

Actually I forgot the third reason for heading downwind before furling: (c) reduces tension on forestay, which makes furling easier (on boats with hydraulic backstay, often need to ease this before furling).
All three factors make easier to furl downwind, and harder to furl if luff upwind.

On my last boat, the reverse was true. With the forestay slack, the headfoil assumes a significant curve. It rolls much easier and better if it's pulled fairly straight.
The halyard tension should never be more than the furling gear swivels can work with. If they won't work with the stay tight, perhaps a sign that the ball races need the salt flushing out?

It's generally not like a dinghy system where the swivels take the actual forestay tension?

 

[dunedin]

On my last boat, the reverse was true. With the forestay slack, the headfoil assumes a significant curve. It rolls much easier and better if it's pulled fairly straight.
The halyard tension should never be more than the furling gear swivels can work with. If they won't work with the stay tight, perhaps a sign that the ball races need the salt flushing out?

It's generally not like a dinghy system where the swivels take the actual forestay tension?

Never want the forestay to be “slack”. But a high powered hydraulic backstay can put a huge amount of tension on the forestay, and many systems will struggle to furl with this on - but suddenly get much easier when the excess tension released.