Association Forum - CDI Furler-Tough Furling

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

CDI Furler-Tough Furling

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Cate
Navigator

Member Avatar

199 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/11/2006 : 13:13:46

On our last outing this weekend we had some rough conditions and I had to furl our 140% genoa. I was able to bring it in, but the last few turns were very hard. I was pulling with all my strength. Sheets were loose, headed into the wind. Our CDI furler has ball bearings so I can't figure out why it was so tough bringing in the last few turns. Any ideas? (This has happened more than once)

1983 C-25, Standard rig, swing keel

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 13:32:59

Good question, I have had my CDI with new bearings act up a little on me as well. The problem is probably line over=ride related, We tend to let the sails out without a lot of thought as to how the line is reeling up, I think that the line does not roll up well sometimes. About all any of us can do about that is make sure our lines lead as fairly as possible to the center of the spool and try to control the unfurl event a little to keep a little drag on the line. Also the last few turns have a much smaller diameter to the wheel of the wheel and axle simple machine that you are using so the gearing gets harder.
That is my guess.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 09/11/2006 13:34:42

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 14:04:04

When you pull out the sail, make sure to keep some tension on the furling line so it winds fairly tightly on the drum. Gloves help--preventing a rope burn. If the line is wound too loosely, when you pull on it, the outer turns can jam down into the inner turns. The harder you pull, the worse it jams. Frank's "leverage" theory might also have something to do with it...

You might also try furling with the genny filled rather than luffing. For me, that actually seemed to make furling easier, as long as the sheet was being played out and the sail was being kept just barely filled. You can continue sailing on the main, and then luff up to drop that later. (I often daysailed on just the genny for simplicity--like raising and lowering a window shade.)

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

Members Avatar

199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 15:15:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 When you pull out the sail, make sure to keep some tension on the furling line so it winds fairly tightly on the drum. Gloves help--preventing a rope burn. If the line is wound too loosely, when you pull on it, the outer turns can jam down into the inner turns. The harder you pull, the worse it jams. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I use gloves always, but I haven't paid close attention to keeping slight tension on the furling line when pulling out the sail. Good advice.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">You might also try furling with the genny filled rather than luffing. For me, that actually seemed to make furling easier, as long as the sheet was being played out and the sail was being kept just barely filled. You can continue sailing on the main, and then luff up to drop that later. (I often daysailed on just the genny for simplicity--like raising and lowering a window shade.)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I have been practicing a lot with just the genoa to get my timing right on the tack. Some embarassing stories there. I may try furling with a slightly full sail in a light wind on a port tack since my furling line is located there and I can control both the genny sheet and the furling line.
I think our next time out I'll keep a good eye on how the furler line is fairing on the drum. That seems to be the place where my problem is occuring.

Edited by - on

pelican
Deckhand

Members Avatar

8 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2006 : 18:10:41

Cate, just a bit of experiecnce here.
Lived and sailed aboard a 34 O'Day for 4 years with Hood furling system. Same idea should apply to a Cat 25(wish mine had roller furling!). To furl, always keep a bit of tension on the furling line and also on the sheet when furling. This gives you a nice snug sail rolled up and no problems with overlap on the furling line. Also keep a little tension on the furling line when pulling the sail out. Don't let it just whiz out.
Don't ask how I know this, just try it!
Also my RF had DELRIN(Plastic) bearings in the drum. Easy fix for sticky rolling was to use a hose and spray water down in the drum as you work it back and forth. There was always spider webs built up in there, and washing them out made it feel like new again.
Hope this helps you.
Robert

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 13:18:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cate
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">You might also try furling with the genny filled rather than luffing. For me, that actually seemed to make furling easier, as long as the sheet was being played out and the sail was being kept just barely filled.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I may try furling with a slightly full sail in a light wind on a port tack since my furling line is located there and I can control both the genny sheet and the furling line.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I often did it on the tack where I was sheeting on the opposite side from the furling line--I think you'll find it's no more difficult.

Edited by - on

bmelchionda
1st Mate

Members Avatar

63 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2006 : 13:23:36

I experienced the same issue on my Furlex unit. A little bit on grease lubricant resolved all my problems. Besides the groups recommendations above, if you are still having issues, try some grease per the manufacturers instructions.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 15:38:57

I have a cdi without bearings and one day that went from flat to 25 almost instantanously. The furler jammed as I tried to bring it in and I couldn't free it. I don't know the cause but as suggested suspect it has to do with winding the furling line too loosely. Since I've tried to keep tension on the line, to get a better wrap and have not havd a problem.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 15:52:32

The furler jammed twice last Sunday. I thought I'd have to grease the bearings (which I may anyway) but I never thouht of the furling line zipping into the drum. In hindsight, it could not be the bearings becaue I went forward and could easily turn the furler by hand. No resistance. You may want to do that check next time.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 22:34:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 The furler jammed twice last Sunday. I thought I'd have to grease the bearings...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Some brands (particularly with Delrin ball bearings) specify no lubricants--just periodic wash-downs with fresh water. Check before you grease.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 23:08:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 The furler jammed twice last Sunday. I thought I'd have to grease the bearings...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Some brands (particularly with Delrin ball bearings) specify no lubricants--just periodic wash-downs with fresh water. Check before you grease.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Good point, RTFM!

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

Members Avatar

199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 12:37:52

Here is an update on the tough furling situation...my lead into the furling drum is high and therefore the drum spools from the top and is forced down as the line spools. I unfurled and furled repeatedly from our dock and had many snags in the drum spool even while having various amounts of tension on the furling line. I wish I had pictures of my furler drum and furling line, but I didn't have the camera with me. My furling drum is very, very close to the deck.. about an inch. I notice the other sailboats in our marina have the furling drum much farther up from the deck. I may need an extension, but for now I'm going to put a fair lead on the forward most stantion and hope the line spools from the bottom up. Comments?

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 12:55:14

Cate,
If you have the fairlead attached to the stanchion you should adjust it so the furler line enters the middle of the spool. You will likely encounter additonal problems if you spool from the bottom.

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

Members Avatar

199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2006 : 13:14:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 Cate,
If you have the fairlead attached to the stanchion you should adjust it so the furler line enters the middle of the spool. You will likely encounter additonal problems if you spool from the bottom.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Ahh. Good advice Sloop. I was wondering about the optimum lead into the drum. I will make sure it spools from the center to reduce furler line snag. Thanks.

Edited by - on

Dave Otey
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2006 : 05:07:09

I too have had some furling problems and after experimenting found what others have pointed out. Without sufficient drag on the furling line the spool has a tendency to load up loosely creating what I call a bird's nest. Then when one tries to furl the genoa the tension on the furling line draws down between the loose wraps on the drum / spool. Once this happens the line almost locks down and the furling becomes difficult if not possible. BTW, the manufacturer recommends the line enters the drum at a 90 degree angle to the drum regardless of the height off the deck.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.