150 Genoa - very personal question - what size is your furling line?

[Jimmyt]

I have had trouble starting the furl on my boat, any time the wind is in the 15-25 kt (or higher) range. In other words, when I really need it to work, it doesn't. If I go to the foredeck and manually start a wrap or two, I can finish from the cockpit with the furling line.

I have a good angle going onto the drum. I have tensioned my rigging so that the forestay is as tight as I can get it, while still being able to pin it after raising the mast.

My furling line measures 0.199" or about 5mm diameter.

I'm considering going up to a 5/16" line to get a bigger wrap on the drum, giving me more torque at the start of the furl (and a better hand feel). This will give me about a 30% increase in line diameter, and should be a pretty good increase in the furled wrap diameter; if it will fit in the drum... Will check before buying.

The holes in the drum aren't very big for stop knot passage, but I can fix that if necessary.

Just wondering what line size other folks were running...

[rsvpasap]

1/8 inch (.125) "dingy control line" from West Marine. Never had it jam, stretch or otherwise be a problem in many hundreds of uses. I also use this same line for the single line reefing system for the main sail.

[Jimmyt]

Thanks! It doesn't seem to be the line jamming that's the issue. I think I'll put the rig up in the driveway and do a better analysis to see if I can figure it out.

[kurz]

first - 10 years ago - I had a 5mm furling line with a 150% Genoa.

I had the same problem.

The drum with the 5mm furler line was overloaded.

So I went to 4mm.
Problem solved.

[NiceAft]

Thanks! It doesn't seem to be the line jamming that's the issue. I think I'll put the rig up in the driveway and do a better analysis to see if I can figure it out.

Jimmy,

You’re saying that when the spindle is full; you pull on the furling line, and you can’t undo the spool, and furl the Genoa. When you go forward, you can furl by hand, and then go back to the cockpit, and successfully pull the furling line.

Did you try releasing tension by loosening the Genoa sheet?

You may be correct in setting up the rigging. The problem may be swiveling at the mast, even though the usual problem is the furling line taking up too much space in the spool.

[Jimmyt]

Jimmy,

You’re saying that when the spindle is full; you pull on the furling line, and you can’t undo the spool, and furl the Genoa. When you go forward, you can furl by hand, and then go back to the cockpit, and successfully pull the furling line.

Did you try releasing tension by loosening the Genoa sheet?

You may be correct in setting up the rigging. The problem may be swiveling at the mast, even though the usual problem is the furling line taking up too much space in the spool.

Yes. Headed up with no tension on the sheets. But, headed up into 15-25kt breeze.

The line is nowhere near filling up the spool.

There may be an issue with the spool jamming, but it turns when I rotate it by hand. When I pull the furling line, it just tries to rip the forestay apart.

[NiceAft]

How old is that roller furler?

This is pure desperation, but I wonder what a good spray of
WD-40 would do to the internal moving parts. Pure desperation think.

[dlandersson]

Dunno about WD-40. A dry lubricant like sail-kote migh be better.

How old is that roller furler?

This is pure desperation, but I wonder what a good spray of
WD-40 would do to the internal moving parts. Pure desperation think.

[NiceAft]

Dunno about WD-40. A dry lubricant like sail-kote migh be better.

How old is that roller furler?

This is pure desperation, but I wonder what a good spray of
WD-40 would do to the internal moving parts. Pure desperation think.

Certainly can’t hurt.

[NiceAft]

I’m still baffled.

Heading into the wind, with no tension on furler, you can furl the Genoa, but, with strong tension (winds of 15+ knots), the furler jams.

I apologize for repeating this; did you loosen (considerably) the Genoa sheets?

[Interim]

We struggle to get the first turn or two when headed upwind. The flogging pressure fights us. We head downwind enough so the main will blanket the genny, and it is much easier.

--john

[NiceAft]

We struggle to get the first turn or two when headed upwind. The flogging pressure fights us. We head downwind enough so the main will blanket the genny, and it is much easier.

--john

Does it help to not head directly into the wind, but rather just off, so there is no flogging, but instead, luffting?

[Jimmyt]

We struggle to get the first turn or two when headed upwind. The flogging pressure fights us. We head downwind enough so the main will blanket the genny, and it is much easier.

--john

Thanks for that post John. I was worried that I dreamed the whole thing... repeatedly.

One of my very experienced sailing buddies suggested that I try downwind, so great minds must think alike.

My concern is, if I need to furl it; I want it to furl. I'm not thrilled with the idea of starting a run in 15-25kt blow, full Genoa and main up, just so I can furl the Genoa. But, we have some light days coming, so I might try it to get a feel for it; if I can't figure out what's going on.

Ray: No, I haven't tried any spray lubricants on the Furler. I do have the duct tape and WD40 T-shirt, but don't usually attack problems with my gear as my T-shirt might suggest. [if it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40.]. If it turns out to be friction, some sort of lubricant, or bearing addition, may be the way to go.

I think John nailed it, though. He describes the exact situation I have. It's got to be blowing hard, and I typically turn up to furl. That 150 has a lot of surface area and is pulling pretty hard resisting the furl.

Now, I might be able to start it if I used the winch, but I'm hesitant to do that.

I'm also considering making a drum bushing to increase the drum diameter, allowing a better mechanical advantage, while keeping the same line size.

I'll post what I find when I put the rig up and check it out. Going to try and do it in the driveway. If I put the boat in the water, I'll just go sailing. I've seen me do it. Can't help myself..

[Jimmyt]

I’m still baffled.

Heading into the wind, with no tension on furler, you can furl the Genoa, but, with strong tension (winds of 15+ knots), the furler jams.

I apologize for repeating this; did you loosen (considerably) the Genoa sheets?

Me too.

In light air only, it will furl. Heavy winds, headed up (roughly pointed upwind), it won't start with a pull I can tolerate using a 5mm line. If I was using the 1/8" line that rsvpasap uses, it would take my fingers off...

No need to apologize, we are all friends. Plus, it's always safest to assume I'm an idiot. My wife says I can't hear. My real problem is, I don't listen.

But, yes; the Genoa sheets are slack when the Furler won't start. I've had it happen twice with real sailors aboard.

Jim

[Highlander]

Dito for the harken MKIV Unit #0 furlers on my boat drum size is about twice the size of a CD furler thus a lot less effort is needed to furl or reef & comes with 7MM furling line
I can.t believe the price these r going for now twice the price I paid , every time I went to a boat show & seen stuff on sale I knew I was going to use in a mod further down the road I,d buy it & I,m now lookin at all this sail boat pullies , rigging gear , s/s running rigging fittings u name it I bought for a approx a boat buck yrs ago still brand new & worth at least 4 boat bucks more now , gezz if I was gonna up-grade to a Harken unit now I,d b lookin for used all the parts r still avail . & they still sell them new !
another option for u CD Furler guy,s is to buy the bearing set & replace the bushing with it makes furling & reefing a breeze , why did I go with the Harken units cause they furl & reef twice as fast with the bigger furling drum & with multiple head sails that,s an issue ! , I had the CD furling bearing sets in both my cd furlers on my cutter rig so I can testify to the big diff they made
J