roller furler--what is best way to secure when traveling?

[rookie]

I have an '05M with a furler system. Since I rarely trailer my boat I don't really know the best way to secure the furler when trailering. We plan on taking a trip to Charleston in August so I need some advice....I took it a short distance once and just bungeed it to the mast but I wasn't too slick in doing it...all advice would be welcomed!
Rookie

[March]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for. The furler system on our boat sticks out a couple feet with the mast down. It kind of dangles and I used to worry about putting undue strain on the furler, which seems to be made from some sort of quasi-flexiblke blade?
The solution: a 6 foot long stick (a broom handle, in fact) tied tightly against the furler, with the extra line. It seems to be working
When I launch the boat, the broomstick goes into the van

[rookie]

yes thats the advice Im seeking--thanks very much
any other techniqes out there?

[Greg]

See MODS section for details.

Greg

[delevi]

I use a wooden pole a closet rod, on which you hang your clothes.. about 5-6 feet long. I also tie the furler to the mast in 6 different places and use 3 lines to secure the end where the furling drum is to the pole and then to the mast. Be careful not to let the furled sail come in contact with the mast or the friction will wear into the sail. Wedge the pole between the furled sail and the mast base. Hope this helps.

Leon

[ALX357]

Using Greg's mod, here is another rendition, and some discussion.




made out of PVC pipe, lower pieces cut so they snap-clamp onto mast, upper cradle holds furler Genny (sock recommended also) .
upper and lower pieces of PVC are screwed together (make sure screws are not coming out inside pieces to scratch mast or cut sail) I ground off the points after screwing the pieces together, then added a bead of 5200 down each side. sanded edges smooth. Made up a totol of 4 of these, different sizes -- large one for overhanging front, smaller ones up the mast, offset assembled two to lay the furler aside around the mast light.
.... took a bit of time, but was worth it to have a secure and dependable way to carry the furler without letting it bend, flop nor producing kinks.... mast is alot easier to put up when furler has no kinks that must be pulled out. Makes good for motoring on the water mast down too, keeps the furler out of the way, without needing to disconnect it from the mast. when mast is up, I stow it below, but the pieces could stay in tow vehicle also.
these things also help to move the mast aft, and step it. and then raise the mast while keeping the furler centered, so it doesn't flop to one side and unbalance the mast when trying to pin it at the step. Take the PVC cradles off the mast as the raising process progresses, make sure to remove the upper ones before the mast gets too far up to reach them. Just one lower one kept on, until the mast is all the way up, can help control the furler .

That's a cheap acrylic wool mitten with an elastic cuff (car parts store) made for polishing, but I use it for covering the furler drum, especially good for not scratching the deck or WINDOWS as the drum is drawn along the deck while the mast is being raised.

[Randy McCotter]

I have an aluminum extendable handle that is made for a paint roller. I just use electrical tape and tape the furler to the mast. Whatever sticks out over the bow is supported by the aluminum handle. when back in the water, I screw in a good brush to the handle. it's great to scrub the deck and around the waterline with that extension!!

Happy sailing
Randy

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

A furler can be ruined letting it "dangle" when trailering. I use the solution that ALX357 noted--it works fine.
Storing the furler during off season, I use 4" PVC pipe glued together, with one end closed permanent. I slide the furler in, and close the open end with a plastic bag. During winter, I use the Mac as a "power cruizer" and camping--the hardware and sails are stored...sailing when its cold is too brrrrrrrrr !

[Harrison]

I used to travel with the furler tied to the mast, but I didnt like it bouncing around, so I now just lay it on the deck tied to each stanchion & the anchor roller. I dont need anything extra to tie it to, it travels much better, and I feel safer with it on the deck.



---Harrison

[Sloop John B]

I like ALXs method. If you don't want to get too involved, check Dunn's web page for using a 1x4.

ALX, what are those adjusters doing up on your forestay tang?

[windquest]

I trailer my boat every single weekend, I find the best thing to do is attach the furler to the mast somehow. If the furler has any kinks in it and it is in the sun for to long it will never straighten out again. I use electrical tape to hold the furler to the mast and use a peice of wood (about the dimensions of the furler) to place under the furler at the bow so it doesn't dangle. The electrical tape works great by the way.

[baldbaby2000]

My method now is to remove one of the spreaders, leave the furler attached and bungee it to the mast making sure it doesn't sit on the pivoting piece that holds the spreaders. I use a pipe to support it on the front of the boat. I used to lay it over the spreader piece and not remove a spreader but the extrusion ended up with a permanant kink in that spot. Another reason for removing the spreader is that it's easier to move the mast into a stepping position. It also prevents the spreader from banging on the deck while trailering. The spreader that stays on sits on top of the lifeline.

[Scott]

After bending 2 spreaders and melting a permanent wave in my furling foil, I now remove both spreaders and disconnect the forestay at the hounds and lay the jib against the stanchions where i secure it with velcro strips.

In extremely hot weather the furler foil will assume the shape it is stored in.

[rookie]

[quote="Scott"]After bending 2 spreaders and melting a permanent wave in my furling foil, I now remove both spreaders and disconnect the forestay at the hounds and lay the jib against the stanchions where i secure it with velcro strips.

In extremely hot weather the furler foil will assume the shape it is stored in.[/quote]

Scott- I too have almost bent the spreaders trying to get them "around" the safety lines....is removing them a big deal? and what do you mean by disconnecting the forestay "at the hounds"? Does that mean that you disconnect both ends of the furler so that you can lay the entire thing flat on the deck? If this doesn't take too long to do it seems like the best solution to me

Rookie

[rookie]

[quote="Harrison"]I used to travel with the furler tied to the mast, but I didnt like it bouncing around, so I now just lay it on the deck tied to each stanchion & the anchor roller. I dont need anything extra to tie it to, it travels much better, and I feel safer with it on the deck.

[img]http://www.hjweb.com/images/boat/cal4.jpg[/img]

---Harrison[/quote]

Harrison- thanks to you and all for your responses!
Question: is the bending of the furler foil from the deck to where it's attached to the mast a problem? Does it straighten out easily?

Rookie