Binding Genoa Furling

[rk6johnson]

During my last sail on my 2006 Catalina 350, I notice the genoa was very difficult to furl especially toward the end. Wind was about 10-15 knots so this was unusual. I unfurled and re-furled and it was a bit easier. However, I noticed the jib halyard was wrapped maybe 1.5-2 times around the furling rod. I though maybe the halyard was loose so at the dock we unfurled, tightened the halyard, and furled with no problem. Now I have another report that the genoa was hard to furl. Does the halyard furling bearing (sorry, don't know the proper name) need some lubrication? If the halyard is tight, what could cause this wrapping? I will inspect next week, but wondered if anyone has seen this before?

[Faster]

Sounds like halyard wrap... you may need to add a restrainer.

[JohnRPollard]

I agree with Faster, if you don't already have a halyard restrainer, you should get one.

The other thing that occurs to me is that, after correcting "the wrap" from the previous incident, you may have snugged the halyard too tight. If the halyard is too tight, it will also cause binding in the furler system.

[sailingdog]

Another problem may be that the PO or you have previously had a halyard wrap and damaged the foil, the swivel or the forestay itself...and that is adding resistance to the whole system. You really need to have the system inspected. If the forestay is damaged and you don't replace it, you can lose the whole rig.

[RichH]

Before you consider to add a 'restrainer' do the following:

Detach the shackle that the tack of the sail connects to the 'drum'.
With the tack now loose, raise the sail all-the-way on the foil (but dont jam it at the top).
Precisely measure (±1/8") the 'gap' distance between the tack shackle and the tack connection of the sail.
Subtract 2" from this dimension ...

Then make up a stout 'pendant' of this final dimension, lower the sail and install the pendant between the head of the sail and the top swivel shackle. Small diameter high tech high strength line is best to make this pendant/'lashing' --- many 'wraps' of small diameter line - like a 'skein' and then 'lashed' (with many 'knots'). Every headsail in your sail inventory should have its very own, correctly sized *pendant*.

This will relieve 99.5% of 'halyard wrap' problems on jib furlers, the other 0.5% will be corrected by a 'restrainer'.

There is a specific minimum 'lead angle' for the halyard TO the 'top swivel' and if that angle is less than the proper 'lead angle' (as defined in your furler owners manual) then you risk 'halyard wrap' as the halyard is geometrically allowed to 'toggle' around the foil. The use of a pendant will allow the top swivel to ride at very close to 'the-very-top' of the foil and keep that 'lead angle' at a maximum ... and 99.5% of the time will allow the proper 'lead angle'.

Simple speak - if the top swivel is NOT at near the very top of the foil, you can expect to get 'halyard wrap'. The use of a 'pendant' between the top of the sail and the top-swivel, will 99.5% of the time, prevent 'halyard wrap'.
:-)

[christyleigh]

Originally Posted by rk6johnson

Does the halyard furling bearing (sorry, don't know the proper name) need some lubrication?

Aside from the halyard wrap issue, if Catalina is still using Sheaffer furlers, are you washing the furler body/bearing area after every sail ? This is a big deal because although they require No Lubrication (at least they didn't used to) the salt Must Be Washed Out of the Bearing Area or they will cease to function. The upper bearing should also be washed out at least yearly.

[rk6johnson]

Great suggestions. I'll begin exploring at the boat tomorrow. Would a pendent at the bottom "Tach" achieve the same benefit and give me better visibility or will that not solve the wrap issue?

[RichH]

You can put the pendant at the top or the bottom:
* pendant at the top gives less 'visibility'; but, better jib/genoa aero-efficiency.
* pendant at the tack/bottom gives more 'visibility'; but, less aero-efficiency plus more heel.

The best aerodynamic efficiency is when the headsail is almost 'touching the deck'. A 'decksweeper' can be a much smaller in sail area to do the exact same job as one that has 'visibility' under it.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by rk6johnson

Great suggestions. I'll begin exploring at the boat tomorrow. Would a pendent at the bottom "Tack" achieve the same benefit and give me better visibility or will that not solve the wrap issue?

Having the sail as high on the foil as possible will minimize the wrap issue, and depending on the geometry may well eliminate it. How much your visibility will be enhanced depends on how long the pendant ends up being (ie how much you end up lifting the sail)

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by rk6johnson

Great suggestions. I'll begin exploring at the boat tomorrow. Would a pendent at the bottom "Tach" achieve the same benefit and give me better visibility or will that not solve the wrap issue?

Yes, either way the luff will effectively be lengthened, allowing the halyard swivel to remain as high as possible and minimize the chance of halyard wrap.