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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Lowering Mast with Furler

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/21/2013 : 20:04:09

I'm about to start prepping my boat to lower the mast and pull the boat for the summer.

I've dropped the mast before by myself and have an A-Frame setup but this will be my first time lowering the mast since having a Harken roller furler installed. I will have one other person helping me this time.

I'm not quite sure how it should be done to prevent bending the foil. Do I attach the bottom of the furler to my A-Frame just like when dropping with just a head-stay? How do I make sure the foil doesn't get bent? What is the best way of securing the furler to the mast for transport?

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2013 : 03:42:58

On our C250, I use the spare jib halyard connected to the trailer winch, then after releasing the back stay I take a bit of strain on the jib halyard, just enough to remove the pin at the bow plate to release the lower end of the furler.

Next I put a leather based reinforced sunbrella cover over the furler drum to stop it marking/scratching the deck.

We have a CDI furler, so it bends quite a bit (we can actually roll it into a large coil) so I strap it to the mast about 5' from the base. This stops it from falling overboard or bowing away from the mast as it lowers.

Paul

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2013 : 04:05:04

I have a CDI furler as well, so slight bending is not a problem. If you attach the a-frame to the forestay under the furler, you will have two instances when the foil could bend. The forestay will stay tight all the way down. But if you watch my video you can see there is some bending at the very beginning and at the end when it touches down on the support.

Is there any flexibility at all on those foils?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2013 : 14:49:53

Anyone with a Harken or rigid foil furler?

My furler is a little flexible but apparently not like the CDI's.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2013 : 18:28:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Anyone with a Harken or rigid foil furler?

My furler is a little flexible but apparently not like the CDI's.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Hi Gary . . . we have a Harken rigid foil + a halyard restrainer. The restrainer eliminates the possibility of using the furler to raise/lower the mast - it would definitely bend the foil. I asked Rick Wilfert at Harken this same question, he discouraged me - even without the restrainer.

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2013 : 02:45:33

Gary

I have a Harkin furler and use an "A" frame to lower the mast. I have done it by myself a couple of times. The furler does bow quite a bit, especially when the mast hits the crutch and the "A" frame is in the air. My "A" frame is 9' 10" long and fastens to the center chain plate. I use the boat winch and a two to one pulley system to the forestay. I have a standard rig.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2013 : 07:15:02

Well, now I don't know if I should try to lower using my A-Frame or not? One says not to and the other says it's possible.

Thinking I might at least try it. I have a halyard restrainer but it's not the one made by Harken. Mine doesn't protrude much from the mast like some I've seen. If I go slow or see that it will start bending too much I'll just stop and re-group.

I've still got some time to think about it as I won't be pulling the boat until I get my brakes fixed in 3 or 4 weeks.

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2013 : 05:58:39

If you are uncomfortable with the furler bowing you might consider taking the sail off to lessen the load on the furler and limit the bowing to a minimum.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2013 : 09:35:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 If you are uncomfortable with the furler bowing you might consider taking the sail off to lessen the load on the furler and limit the bowing to a minimum.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sail was coming off anyway so that won't be an issue.

I think if I have my helper stand near the mast he can hold the center of the furler up to prevent it from hitting the halyard restrainer and also support the center of the furler from bowing too much.

My mast support at the rear of the boat is pretty tall and once the mast is in the support we can move the furler off to one side while we reposition the mast into the travel position. Once in the travel position I will securely fasten the furler along the mast for the trip home.

Edited by - GaryB on 06/24/2013 09:38:26

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