Tension and Direction
My furling line sometimes wraps in the drum when unfurling the headsail, leaving a wrap of sail on the head stay. I assume this means my furling line is not properly tensioned when unfurling.
There is a ratchet block as the last block of the furling line (at the cockpit). Is the ratchet supposed to ratchet when furling or ratchet when unfurling?
Thanks - never had a furler on my previous vessels (windsurfers
)
Hi Steve,
Yup, you do want to keep a little tension on that furling line when paying it out as the sail unfurls. I often leave that ratchet "on" when setting sail, and when I don't I leave one loop of line around a winch to provide some friction.
There is another source of potential problem with all of these furler lines, too. That's the lead going into the drum. It really needs to be at 90 degrees to the center of the drum.
There are oodles of boats - all makes and models - with that line led upwards a few degrees from 90. This often done to keep it away from the bow cleat or because the swivel block clamped onto the pulpit base is too "high". It's worth doing some installation work on that initial lead from the drum to get it right.
FWIW, a lot of boats settle for less headsail area and put the drum up a foot on the headstay. This usually solves that lead problem and also provides a lot more room for the anchor and roller assembly. Less sail area, though, so the old saying is invoked that 'everything's a compromise'.
If you have a picture taken from the side of the bow, do post it up.
Regards,
Loren