Problem raising the mainsail

[kmclemore]

...some of the sailors here have 'decored the 3/16 furler line to allow some more room in the drum for the big genny...

Yep, Tony Houk showed me how to do that with mine and it worked great! (Thanks, Tony!)

[c130king]

Does "decoring" reduce the strength of the line?

[trumpetguy]

I had the same issue with the Genny. The problem was the location of the block on the forward Jib tracks. The problem is the forward block stops the clew and you cannot fully unfurl the sail. I bought two blocks with Cam cleats and installed onto my cockpit jib tracks. Not only can I fully unfurl the Genny...I control the sail while sitting at the helm station.

I don't know what to say about the mainsail problem. I have the same issue. Just be sure to loosen everything, lubricate your sail slides, and use the wench for the last foot.

[kmclemore]

Does "decoring" reduce the strength of the line?

I would imagine so, but I've not had a failure.

[Frank C]

Decoring (and its coverse, stripping off the cover) both somewhat reduce the inate strength of the rope, but it's strength is already far beyond demands in whichever roles those techniques are used, usually halyards, sheets and furling lines I think.

I've read that a particular advantage of decoring is that it permits the cover to flatten down around a furler drum, making for less troublesome, auto-wrapping. Haven't done it on my boat, but the theory seems valid. Further note, if one ponders expending that effort, consider getting a line that's easier on the hands - say 5/16". When furling the Genoa against a stiff breeze, that 3/16" line really bites.

[Catigale]

USing the winch as a device to take the tension on the furler really helps on the hands we have found - you dont use the handle (which would be overkill of course)

[ALX357]

be sure to keep some drag on the furler line going onto the spool as you pull the Genoa out with the sheets. If it winds loosely, it can jam up.

[c130king]

All,

6th sail today. Nice day on the St. John's. Actually motored about 10 miles up the river to the Jacksonville Landing where I treated the crew (Dad and daughter) to lunch and then we sailed back to the marina. First time we actually "went somewhere" in the boat. Pretty cool!

However, I still had the problem with the main not going all the way to the top of the mast. Boom vang was completely loose. Main sheet was completely loose. I lubricated the entire mast groove with Sailkote. I looked more closely to see if the Halyard was "twisting" and jamming up at the pulley on top of the mast -- it wasn't.

I forgot to check or loosen up the out-haul. Will have to do that next time...maybe this weekend if I am lucky.

As far up as I can reach the slugs run freely and there are no hang-ups. The hang-up must be above the 8' point.

I did not use the winch. I am a big guy and pulled pretty hard on the halyard. I am afraid if I use the winch I will break one of my turning blocks.

Not sure what to do at this point. It still works, just the sail is a little baggy, especially at the bottom.

Had no real issues with the furler today. I kept some drag on the furling line as I pulled out the genoa and the line rolled up on the furling drum a little nicer. But it still fills up the drum. I will de-core the line for some future project. And when done today the genoa rolled up nicely...right to where I wanted it.

Thanks for all the advice on both of these problems.

Anyway, Ray asked for an update... I know you were all holding your breath

Thanks,
Jim

[delevi]

Quite the pickle with your mainsail Jim. You may want to examine the top portion of your mast track. It may have a kink in it, which would prevent the slugs from passing beyound that point. I doubt it is your bolt rope (rope within your luff.) since you have plenty of baggy sail at the bottom. You certainly don't need the winch to get the sail to full hoist. Your outhaul is probably not the issue either. You may not get ideal luff tension if you don't first slack your outhaoul, but what you describe is much more extreme. You should be able to at least get the luff of your main snug without any baggy stuff at the bottom. Can't think of anything else. Check your mast track and do report back.

Good luck.

[James V]

Just to cover the basics - You are heading straight into the wind, Not more than a few degrees off. You are going slower than 2 mph. A small loop in your knot. GOOD.

Where is your last, top slug? It has to be some inches down. There is a discussion on this board somewhere about this. Try taking out the top one and see if that helps. Last resort of course.

With the mast down, Take a slug and move it all the way though the mast. It should slide easily. Look down the sail track, is it nice and straight with no nicks? A little is OK.

I did this one time. I had a real trouble getting the main sail up and looked up and saw that the Halyard was wraped around the mast. Duhhhh.

In order to get mine up I had to use most of my full body weight. 265 pounds.

[Frank C]

Jim,

Assuming you don't really want to drop the mast yet, try this to determine if that mast track is clear, and to learn if the luff rope is partly to blame. While tied at the dock, in very light winds:

• - raise the mainsail to your sticking point;
  - now ease the halyard by a half-foot;
  - release the boom from the gooseneck;
  - and hoist again.

Does the sail's headboard go higher & hoist the boom, or not? If yes, it implies a luff rope problem. Otherwise, a mast track problem.

[c130king]

Frank,

If I have about 12 inches of loose sail (and luff rope) just sort of hanging freely at the bottom of the sail could I have a "luff rope problem".

I know the bottom 8 feet or so of the sail (and thus the luff rope...I think) are loose.

It seems if I had a luff rope problem the luff would be tight all the way but with loose sail.

However, I will try your technique next time I have very light winds at the dock.

Thanks,
Jim

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

However, I will try your technique next time I have very light winds at the dock.
Thanks,
Jim

Be sure your mainsheet is not cleated, when you do that, so that the boom can weathervane.
You said your halyard was not "twisting". I think you've got it right, but . . .
The main halyard should go from the top of the mainsail, up and thru the back of the main halyard block at the top of the mast, come out the front of the block, and down toward the base of the mast.

[c130king]

Bill,

That is what I do. Main sheet is loose. And I will leave loose when raising at the dock.

Halyard goes from head of main up and over the block and then down to turning blocks and then back to the cockpit.

Jim

[delevi]

By process of elimination, it is likely the mast track. That is the next thing to check, per suggestions above.