[Rhodes22-list] headsail furler problem

[Bill Effros]

Mary Lou,

I forgot the same thing happened to me.  It was a non-event for the most 
part.  I got the same advice you are now getting, and the repair proved 
simpler and more straightforward than the explanations.  I took out the 
headsail without taking down the mast so that I could continue to sail 
while the repair was being made.  I had to (carefully) remove the 
headsail from its mounting (this was a 2 person job) making sure the 
mast did not come crashing down.  I used my mast crane to do this, but 
had a son around in case of problems.

We took out my headsail, and had it repaired by a local sail maker.  He 
was embarrassed to charge me.  It was ready by the time I got back to my 
house, so I turned around and picked it up.  It was the end of the 
season, and I knew I would have to take down the mast to remount the Jib 
sail loop at the top, so I put it off until after I got off the water.

Pulling the sail out of the furling tube was a piece of cake, even on 
the water, with the crane holding up the rig.

Putting it back takes a little longer.  I did it single handed with the 
aid of my truck, working from the flat bed of the truck, and supporting 
the furling tube on the cab and the boat, so it wouldn't bend.  It 
should have taken 5 minutes, but probably took 15 to get the bead back 
into the groove all the way up the furling tube, moving back and forth, 
moving the tube back and forth.  It would be easier with 2 people 
because the sail won't run straight into the bottom of the groove 
without helping hands.  Once the sail is in the groove it is remarkably 
easy to slide it if you are not fighting kinks at the opening and gravity.

 From that point forward, everything is as it always was.

Bill Effros



R22RumRunner at aol.com wrote:

>Mary Lou,
>The downhaul has taken many different shapes over the years, but it  
>basically stretches the sail by pulling it down, much easier than climbing the  mast 
>and trying to stretch it to the top. :)
>The sail simply slides out of the furling tube once you have removed the  
>attaching screws. Depending on your bearing type, the bearing may have to  be 
>removed on the end you plan to slide the sail out of. Keep screws and  bearings 
>separate and well marked. I like to take digital pictures when I do  this to 
>remember how things go back together. Unless you are taking it to a sail  loft, 
>removing it from the tube is not necessary. However, should you remove it,  
>getting it back in the slot can take time, but it is possible with a little  
>effort. All of this should be done on a flat, smooth, dry, clean surface.  Unless 
>you want to really extend the amount of time required to do this job, do  not 
>remove the forestay from the furling tube. 
> 
>Rummy
> 
>PS. Be sure to properly support the furling tube so it doesn't bend. Any  
>bend in the tube will make furling a lot harder.
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