Swift 18 rigging question

[Washboy]

Hello- question about rigging a Swift 18 . I’ve just bought a fairly early Swift 18 and am a bit puzzled by the halyard on the foresail. This is fitted with a furling spar but I can’t tie off the halyard to the mast cleats as it fouls the furling of the foresail and so I have had to tie it off to the shackle that attaches the luff spar to the foredeck . This works fine but Is this normal for a Swift 18 ?

Thanks

 

[William_H]

I suspect the question should relate to the kind of furler fitted. I imagine Swift 18 did not have a furler fitted when built. Picture might help. ol'will

 

[Supertramp]

If the halyard goes through a block attached to the mast then it needs tied off on the mast and there will be a top swivel on the furling gear.

If the halyard goes through a block attached to the top of the furling tube then it needs tied off to the foot of the furling tube.

The second option is not unusual on trailer sailers.

 

[Washboy]

Thanks both of you for your comments - I think that answers the question- it works fine as it is so I’ll stick with that .
Thanks very much

 

[Suffolk Explorer]

Although I bought my Swift 18 when it was a few years old, I believe that it was supplied new with the furler fitted. The halyard was attached to the attached to a U bolt fitted to the top of the furling drum. I used a light line with a few loops to give x4 purchase and it worked fine. That method eliminates the risk of fore-stay wraps and caused no problems at all over my 10 years of ownership.
Enjoy your Swift 18.

 

[oldharry]

I had the same arrangement on a Colnbrook furler on my Trident 24. Never any problem with halyard wrap, because after the first turn it was wrapped inside the sail! No end of trouble on a previous boat with a swivel that didn't!

 

[Washboy]

Thanks Suffolk Explorer and Old Harry - it’s nice and simple and seems to work well - couldn’t be better !