Raising main going downwind

[Frogwatch]

OK, we all know to turn into the wind to raise the main or drop it.
However, sometimes I am too lazy to turn into th wind and I go up on cabin top and pull it up while someone else winches it up. CRAZY. Why in 2012 do we still have to do this. Why not have sail slides that cannot jam when the sail has tension on it? Is it just that the cross section of the slot in the mast is wrong? Do Gaff rigs with their hoops around the mast have this problem?

[DivingOtter]

laws of physics change for no one.

[CaptainForce]

'but sometimes in light wind or if I'm still motoring downwind, I can pull it up fast before it fills despite the laws of physics.

[nolatom]

Use your engine to reduce apparent following wind to near zero. And as you lower the main, be at the end of the boom pulling the leech aft as it comes down, which helps you furl and keeps the tension on the slides aft rather than sideways.

[joeybkcmo]

be careful not to get to much "bag" in it, or it could catch and rip on something

[RichH]

With the use of 'super slippery' mast tracks/slots, etc. its 'easier' to raise/lower a main when going DDW. The problem is friction from the slugs/mast track and the friction of the sail against the rigging. A good way to keep the friction down low is to keep the sail material OFF the rigging wire when raising and lowering when DDW.

Examples of 'super slippery' mast tracks:
"Strong Track" : https://www.tidesmarine.com/?page_id=61

[peterchech]

What about if your engine won't start and you have to raise the main in a breeze but can't motor into the wind?

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by peterchech

What about if your engine won't start and you have to raise the main in a breeze but can't motor into the wind?

I just ease the mainsheet so that the boom is as in-line with the wind as possible. However, as Rich mentioned above - you have to be careful to not get your sail/battens hung up in the rigging.

[zz4gta]

put up as much main as you can and get momentum. Then turn the boat and jump the halyard. If you stall/stop, just fall off with the main partially up and do the same thing again. eventually the main will be up

[RichH]

Most boats can at least beam reach with a small jib up .... raise the jib, force the boat to the best stable reach possible, raise the main.