Furling mainsails are the best invention since sliced bread; they are safe, easy to use, and require less crew work. That said, they sometimes have a reputation for jamming, but with proper use and maintenance, this is not a factor.
Let’s review a couple key points for properly setting up and using a furling mainsail.
It all begins with the correct installation and maintenance, something you don’t have to worry about as a club member! When installing the sail, getting the correct tension on the main halyard is vital since too loose or too tight will make it difficult to furl. You’ll notice all club boats have the main halyard tied off and secured in order to keep curious hands away from mistakenly adjusting the halyard. We set the tension and adjust it regularly to account for stretch in the halyard and sail. Additionally, proper maintenance schedules of cleaning and lubricating the boom track, furling drum, and running rigging help keep the furling system running smoothly.
Now that the system is installed and maintained, the user must operate the system correctly for best results. Like any mainsail, furling and unfurling should be done head to wind (bow into the wind) with the mainsheet and boom vang loose. Additionally, electric winches and winch handles should be avoided on furling sails due to the risk of overtightening in the event of a jammed line or sail. A properly maintained and installed furling mainsail should be able to roll in and out by hand.
Unfurling – With the bow head to wind, open the furling line clutch allowing that line to run free and pull on the outhaul. Once the foot of the sail is taut (not too tight), you may secure the mainsheet to the winch and fall off to your desired point of sail. Notice the outhaul clutch didn’t need to be opened since it’s a one way locking clutch!
PRO TIP – The bottom of the sail has a lot more sail area than the top of the sail, so unfurling the sail too quickly can cause faster rotation of the bottom than the top. This would cause the top of the sail to jam on the way out since the “tightness” of the furl would decrease. We know that’s a bit complicated, but what it means is: make sure you are head to wind and roll the sail out slow and pro.
Furling – Basically the same operation above but backwards, except now the mainsail and related rigging will be a bit loaded up. Start by bringing the boat head to wind and ease off the mainsheet and vang to create a little bit of movement and unload the sail. Next, you’ll ease off the outhaul while pulling on the furling line, thus rolling the sail up. That last part can be a bit tricky with only two hands, so having a crew member assist with one of the lines is best.
PRO TIP – A slight bit of back pressure on the outhaul will stop the sail from whipping around out of control and make the furling process smoother. Too much pressure on the outhaul, however, will only make the task of pulling the furling line more difficult. Just a slight amount of pressure is needed to keep slack out of the line.
Final Thoughts…
Always be head to wind with the mainsheet and vang slack, keep your eyes open looking for jams in the lines and sail, avoid electric winches and winch handles, and slow is pro!
