Roller furling mainsail

[sam]

Who has a roller furling main Vs the traditional? I have experienced quite a bit of issue with my roller furling operation and have sorted it out. US Spars and Neil Pryde both were responsive.
LONGHAWK , hull #9

[Franc]

Hey Sam, Ours sometimes gets a little hard to unfurl but so far so good. What was your issue?

[sam]

mine would skip grooves in the furling drum, and "jump" erratically. Re-worked the furling drum bearings at US Spars and replaced the outhaul car turning block to a larger diameter, both helped. Then, found the batten pockets were "thick". Neil Pryde is reworking the pockets now to a newer design that they called the "bowed" pocket.It reduces the thickness at the top of the batten pocket where most of the sails seem to bind / catch when unfurling.
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival (hopefully next week) as the sailing is great here this time of year.
Also, I would strongly suggest adding a stop at the outboard end of the boom track to prevent the outhaul car from pushing the friction-fit only OEM stop back, allowing the bearings in the car to unload all over the deck. Added a screw like the one installed on the mast end and all is fine and secure. (yep, I chased bearing all over the cockpit one evenng).
Really glad to find a fellow 43 owner. I am willing to share ideas and things learned.
Do you have a gennaker?

[Franc]

Thanks, Sam. I have an old gennaker from a previous boat outfitted with a roller furler. Haven't tried it yet, though....