Beneteau Oceanis 40 in-mast roller furling system

[Mark Satterfield]

Hi,

 

I sail a Beneteau Oceanis 40 with in-mast roller furling system.  Problem is, the main often gets "stuck" during the furling process or the unfurling process.  Not completely sure about this, but it seems that the "stuck" part happens because of the belly in the sail as it is being reefed or furled, and there is simply not enough room in the mast to handle the loose belly.

 

The process we undertake to unfurl is typical:

1. Head to wind
2. Release sheet and vang
3. Keep tension on furl line while bringing sail out with the outhaul

 

Process for furling that we have been using is:

1. Head to wind
2. Release sheet and vang
3. Keep tension on outhaul while bringing the sail in with the furl line.

 

Idea

I'm thinking that we'd be better served by hardening up on the vang, which should keep the clew "down" and the leech tighter -- thereby making the belly tighter while furling.  I don't see a way that this can cause any issues, since the clew is forced to be wherever it needs to be by way of the turning block on the outhaul car.  Basically:

 

For furling or reefing:

1. Head to wind
2. Release the sheet, harden up the vang
3. Keep tension on the outhaul while bringing the sail in with the furl line

 

I'm equally thinking that hardening up on the boom vang (of course, keeping the main sheet loose!) while unfurling would be a good idea.  The safety measure is the same -- the clew of the sail is actually not attached to the boom, but to a turning block on the outhaul car, which allows the sail to fly as high as is necessary without damage.

 

For unfurling:

1. Head to wind
2. Release the sheet, harden up the vang
3. Keep tension on the furl line while bringing the sail out with the outhaul

 

What am I missing?  The owner thinks this is not a good idea.  

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

http://www.marksatterfield.com