Furling line starts to wrap around foil

[P30Dude]

Hi folks, I have a Harken roller furling. System, the furling line starts to wrap around the foil. The set up looks correct, but I'm tired of unwrapping and retreading the furling line. What causes this?


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[Vasco]

Never heard of the furling line wrapping around the foil. Are you sure it's not the halyard wrapping around the foil? This is a common problem with Harkens if the sail is not hoisted to within a few inches of the top of the foil.

[senormechanico]

If it IS the furling line, the lead angle to the furler must be too high.

[P30Dude]

The issue is at the drum end, perhaps my use of the term foil was in error


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[Vasco]

Still don't understand your problem. Needs pix or a better explanation.

[RTB]

Maybe you mean an over-wrap (a tangle) of the line on the drum? If so, you need to hold tension on the furling line when unfurling the sail.

[roverhi]

If the problem is at the furling drum, the lead angle of the furling line is usually the cause

[kcj]

Had similar issue, solution was found in the manual, go figure. There are two "windows" on the furler drum, the line must exit one of these windows, or it will jump the furler and wrap. Solution was to rotate drum 90degrees, and re feed line through window. Problem solved. Best of luck, j

[P30Dude]

Kcj, that is what is happening, the line jumps and exits another window toward the bow when it wraps


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[Paul Elliott]

I don't see how the line can jump if it is being fed *through* the window. If you feed the line through the open slot then there could be trouble.

You need to feed the furling-line through a window. Rotate the drum enclosure as needed to locate the window so the line feeds cleanly. Make sure that the line does not chafe against the window edges -- I've discovered that this can cut through the furling line when you least need the excitement.

Position your last furling line block so the line feeds cleanly.

Keep some tension on the line when un-furling the sail. If not you may get a wrap on the furling drum, which makes it nearly impossible to furl the sail. Don't depend on a ratcheting furling-line block to give you enough tension, control the tension with your hands. Take a wrap around a winch with the furling-line when unfurling, that way it won't get away from you when the sail fills.

[kcj]

Paul and I are saying the same thing. When I looked at the furler (after reading the manual) looking for the "windows", they were obvious. Initially, never focused on it. i had led the line between the windows , not through one, causing perpetual drum wraps. In order to give a fair lead, the furler it may have to be rotated. Cheers, j

[P30Dude]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look and download the manual


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[P30Dude]

Kim and Paul,

Seems the issue was as you described, I have the furling line thru a "window" now the drum needs to be rotated 90 degrees clockwise prior to use.

The sad part is I had the yard install the furler at the start of the season.


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[Paul Elliott]

Vince, thanks for the follow-up!

Do double-check that the line can't chafe on the window edges. When completely furled or unfurled there's not a lot of tension on this line, but (as has happened to me) when you are partially reefed in high winds there is a high load on it and any chafing will eventually cut the line. Make sure that the lead is fair at *all* times.

The windows on my Harken unit have fairly sharp edges, which is a stupid design. One of these days I will do something to round those edges! I think the newer models have fixed this problem, but you still want a fair lead.

[P30Dude]

Agreed, thanks again for your help!!


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280