Furling to Hank-on?

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  • January 24, 2013 8:27 AM
    Reply # 1187831 on 1186049
    Deleted user
    If a headsail is only partially rolled up or deployed, it cannot be dropped because it tends to be too tightly wound on the stay/foil and forms an "incompressible" cylinder.  Doesn't matter it it's hanked on or captured in a foil.  But setting up the fairleads properly to prevent fouling of lines is obviously critical.  If the roller line fouls on the drum you can always cut it of course and drop the hanked on sail.  But if the drum jams with a partially rolled sail, what then?  I guess conveniences have risks, but if you don't have the risk from the convenience then in this case there's the risk of being way out on the bowsprit in rough weather.  There's no perfect answer so one must pick one's risk, no?
    Last modified: January 24, 2013 8:29 AM | Deleted user
  • January 24, 2013 8:58 AM
    Reply # 1187854 on 1186049
    Deleted user
    Mike, I fully understand your reluctance to roller furling, we were that way for ten years.  But my wife and I have both experienced the bow dropping out on us in rough conditions bringing down a hank on sail, it's what convinced us to go to roller furling.  As far as anecdotal examples of problems, I can't answer all of them as I wasn't there.  But Tyler's first example appears to be operator error. You never let the sail unfurl uncontrollably, you control it with the furling line. Roller furlers have come a long way in the last twenty five years and I suspect most if not all of the problems are poor installation or operator error. Masts come down but that doesn't make me want a power boat.

    As far as single handing goes, the most extreme single hander I know is Jerry Borucki from Half Moon Bay and has been featured in Latitude 38.  He's in his 70's and has single handed to the Arctic circle three times.  On his last trip he was caught in a freeze in a fjord and it was so cold his mainsail melted. You can find the article on page 88  http://www.latitude38.com/eBooks/2011/L38201102.html#.UQFd_h2mGSo  The conditions he sails in are unbelievable and his stories are incredible.  I've talked to Jerry about his Profurls as that is what we have, he said he couldn't do without them. 

    If Hank on sails work for you and your more comfortable that way, then by all means that's what you should do.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with them and I'm not trying to convince you that is what you should do. But having had roller furlers for ten years, hank on for ten years and having been out on the bow sprite trying to get the sail down, I'm convinced roller furlers are much safer than hank on, not just convenient. On the Pacific side Ill bet 90% of the long distance cruisers have roller furling, quite a vote of confidence.

    Jim
     
     
    Last modified: January 24, 2013 9:02 AM | Deleted user
  • January 24, 2013 12:48 PM
    Reply # 1188055 on 1186049
    I'm pretty sure a partially furled jammed sail on a roller furler is going to be caused by the furling line. It would be a simple matter to then cut the furling line at the drum and let the sail unfurl and then drop it.

    There is not much to a furler, and I just cant see how a jam up would occur other than with the furling line. (I have a pro-furl unit)
  • January 24, 2013 6:09 PM
    Reply # 1188300 on 1186049

          After 15 years I went to roller furling for 1 reason. I don't like cold salt water showers at 0200 on the end of the bowsprit. Rather be drinking a hot cup of tea behind the dodger while I furl the jib.

                                     Lee

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