Selden in mast furling mechanism - a little help please

[cmedsailor]

Soon I am buying a boat with Selden in mast main sail mechanism and even though I have a very long experience with the nice and simple Sparcraft system, my experience with the Selden is very limited. The very few times I have used it, I remember that when using it and both spinlock clatches of the endless line were open, with some wind on the sail I couldn’t control the whole thing. The sail, pushed by the wind, was unfurling from the mast since nothing (besides my hands) was holding the endless loop in one place so the mechanism was rotating! So, I would like some hints over there please.

Secondly, looking and examining how to set up the whole thing, I come to the conclusion that it will be easier to have a winch available for the endless control line and another winch for the outhaul (ie a set up to use the port and the starboard winches by the companionway). What do you think? Is this valid or two winches are not necessary? What is your experience?

Thanks

Edit: Just to add. I have chosen a main sail with vertical full length battens. Do these battens have any importance on how/where to reef the sail? With a reefed sail shall does the distance of the batten from the mast has any relevance?
Thanks again.

 

[ip485]

Is this the versions with the screw in the mast, and seperate outhaul and furling lines? I am guessing not as you mention a continous system.

 

[cmedsailor]

Is this the versions with the screw in the mast, and seperate outhaul and furling lines? I am guessing not as you mention a continous system.

Screw in the mast with separate outhaul and furling line is the Sparcraft mast and furling system of my old boat that I am very experienced with. The new boat will be equipped with a Selden mast and furling mechanism.

 

[Tranona]

I have mine set up with the outhaul on the port side and continuous furling on starboard. This works for me because I am single handed and find standing in the centre allows easy control over both. However, many prefer to have both on the same side.

You can control the speed at which the sail comes out by applying some pressure on the out line, lowering the clutch lever so it creates some friction on the line. However, I don't find having some sail come out freely is a problem if you have the wind just off the starboard bow. Same when furling or reducing sail. I rarely use the winch for furling, but my main is only 25 sqm. Winch is essential for the outhaul but only for the final bit to set the draught of the sail. Can't comment on the batten issue as don't have them. However expect that boom angle will be important to ensure the battens go into the slot at the right angle.

Hope this helps.

 

[cmedsailor]

You can control the speed at which the sail comes out by applying some pressure on the out line, lowering the clutch lever so it creates some friction on the line.

So with your setup (standing in the middle and using both sides) I suppose instead of lowering the clutch you can simply use the free winch with a few turns of the outline on it (so there's friction).
My only experience with the Selden mechanism was on a Bavaria Cruiser 51.....and that was a huge main sail!

 

[Tranona]

Yes, you could, but never really bothered as I have never felt the need. With a 51' now pretty sure most new would have electric winches so much easier to control, but more to go wrong?

What boat are you buying?

 

[Pete7]

Like Tranona, we rarely use the winch for the outhaul unless the sail is full of wind. Also tend to deploy the main with the boom pointing sort of in the wind's direction so it doesn't self deploy if you let go of the continuous line. However, by far the best improvement we made was having a new main as I didn't realise how bad the existing was was. I can now furl just by pulling the continuous line, the boat sails upright and goes quicker with the main rather than without.

 

[cmedsailor]

What boat are you buying?

Elan Impression 45

 

[Yngmar]

Soon I am buying a boat with Selden in mast main sail mechanism and even though I have a very long experience with the nice and simple Sparcraft system, my experience with the Selden is very limited. The very few times I have used it, I remember that when using it and both spinlock clatches of the endless line were open, with some wind on the sail I couldn’t control the whole thing. The sail, pushed by the wind, was unfurling from the mast since nothing (besides my hands) was holding the endless loop in one place so the mechanism was rotating! So, I would like some hints over there please.

To do a controlled unfurling, simply keep light tension on the furling line, easiest done with a turn around something - a winch, a cleat or letting it out by hand in light airs. Same as you would with a furling headsail. You'll also need to do this if you want to pull out a reefed sail, instead of all of it.

Same when furling by the way - keep light tension on the outhaul, so the outhaul car doesn't slide too far forward and make a too curved sail, which is more difficult to roll into the mast due to increase friction in the slot. Best to have the boom slightly over to the port side (so on a starboard tack) - the Selden systems all roll the sail in the same direction, CCW if you look down the mast from birds eye view.

Most of this is also mentioned in the manual, which is well worth studying!

Secondly, looking and examining how to set up the whole thing, I come to the conclusion that it will be easier to have a winch available for the endless control line and another winch for the outhaul (ie a set up to use the port and the starboard winches by the companionway). What do you think? Is this valid or two winches are not necessary? What is your experience?

Yes, that's certainly the most useful way to set it up. It's like that on our boat and makes the above described controlled unfurling very easy. When single-handing, I just leave a turn around the opposite winch. Adds enough friction to the control line, and when you want it to go a bit easier, you can just flick the rope in your other hand lightly and it'll come out a bit more. It's certainly also possible to do it with one winch, but perhaps slightly more work.

Edit: Just to add. I have chosen a main sail with vertical full length battens. Do these battens have any importance on how/where to reef the sail? With a reefed sail shall does the distance of the batten from the mast has any relevance?

Some. You basically don't want to end up with the batten being exactly on the slot, or the stitches might chafe over time. Either leave it out of the slot a bit, or at least half a turn in. We usually leave ours just out - easiest to see where they are that way and how much sail you've got deployed. The battens make good markers for your "reef points" that way.

 

[Tranona]

Elan Impression 45

Very nice. Hope the purchase goes well.

 

[ip485]

Screw in the mast with separate outhaul and furling line is the Sparcraft mast and furling system of my old boat that I am very experienced with. The new boat will be equipped with a Selden mast and furling mechanism.

Good luck with the new system, they usually work well. My Island Packet 54 foot has the Selden above much as your old Sparcraft. Also works well except on mine the bearings were truly rubbish so I had the bushes and bearings all remade and it is so much smoother now.

 

[cmedsailor]

My Island Packet 54 foot .

Wow! This is a really tough boat.

 

[cmedsailor]

Very nice. Hope the purchase goes well.

Thank you Tranona

 

[Pagetslady]

Hi I have the Selden inmast with full length battens I have had this system for around 12 years, I had the problem of the sail creeping out when hard on the wind and reefed, unless I set the ratchet to the locked position, which defeated the whole thing of not going on deck. I have arranged mine so that the ratchet can be Locked and freed from the cockpit, some where on this forum I think I posted pictures, it is very simple and works really well, one line to unlock it the other line has a rubber bungy to release it. I will search for the post but if you are interested PM me.
Mike.

 

[cmedsailor]

Hi I have the Selden inmast with full length battens I have had this system for around 12 years, I had the problem of the sail creeping out when hard on the wind and reefed, unless I set the ratchet to the locked position, which defeated the whole thing of not going on deck. I have arranged mine so that the ratchet can be Locked and freed from the cockpit, some where on this forum I think I posted pictures, it is very simple and works really well, one line to unlock it the other line has a rubber bungy to release it. I will search for the post but if you are interested PM me.
Mike.

Does it sound normal to have this problem when hard on the wind and reefed? I thought the furling mechanism was tough enough to hold everything in place. So basically the line is slipping. I hope I don't have this problem but in any case, yes you can post or send me by PM the pictures.
Thanks


Edit: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?432477-Reefing-a-Main-with-in-mast-Furling/page2 I have found them!

 

[Tranona]

Does it sound normal to have this problem when hard on the wind and reefed? I thought the furling mechanism was tough enough to hold everything in place. So basically the line is slipping. I hope I don't have this problem but in any case, yes you can post or send me by PM the pictures.
Thanks


Edit: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?432477-Reefing-a-Main-with-in-mast-Furling/page2 I have found them!

No, it is not normal. The clutch should hold the furling line so that the sail cannot creep out. However, some people have reported problems with the furling line either slipping or not operating the furling drum reliably. Been a couple of threads on the subject. Sometimes it is because the line is too small or worn or on the other hand too big. Does not seem to be systemic and if the Selden guidelines are followed for the furling line there should be no problems.

 

[Pagetslady]

Hi here are two pictures of my setup it works very well the lines are let to the cockpit I have a small dingy jammer cleet so when I take the sail out i release the ratchet by pullin and locking it off, once its out I release that line and I have a bungy that pulls the other line to the locked position.

 

[NormanS]

I have the Selden system, and have never had a problem with unwanted sail coming out when reefed. As Tranona says, it sounds as if the furling line is the wrong size. Obviously, when reefed, the line must be tensioned, with both parts clutched.