I always fold my sails (never stuff), and I usually do that at the dock. But when I make a headsail change underway (or at anchor) it can be quite a challenge to fold it on deck of my little ~30 ft boat.
Note: I have a harken roller reefing furler which should/could limit the amount of sail changes I'd have to make. In practice I rarely choose to sail with a furled headsail, I just don't like the shape. My preference is to swap out the headsail when conditions call for it, and if it safe to do so I will.
Here is what I do:
- drop the sail
- detach and secure the jib halyard. leave the tack attached.
- stretch the foot of the sail along the leeward side of the cabin top
- proceed to to wrestle the sail into some semblance of a flaked, folded sail.
- put into its sail bag.
- have a shot of rum because I'm exasperated at this point!
- hoist the new sail.
I think this would work just fine on a really calm flat day. but anything else tends to have the sail flapping and dancing all over with me playing a game of "twister" trying to keep everything in place as I fold it.
Any better techniques?
Note: I have a harken roller reefing furler which should/could limit the amount of sail changes I'd have to make. In practice I rarely choose to sail with a furled headsail, I just don't like the shape. My preference is to swap out the headsail when conditions call for it, and if it safe to do so I will.
Here is what I do:
- drop the sail
- detach and secure the jib halyard. leave the tack attached.
- stretch the foot of the sail along the leeward side of the cabin top
- proceed to to wrestle the sail into some semblance of a flaked, folded sail.
- put into its sail bag.
- have a shot of rum because I'm exasperated at this point!
- hoist the new sail.
I think this would work just fine on a really calm flat day. but anything else tends to have the sail flapping and dancing all over with me playing a game of "twister" trying to keep everything in place as I fold it.

Any better techniques?