Mainsail furler "tack hook" jammed

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sidthekid
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Posts: 47
Mainsail furler "tack hook" jammed

Hi,
Our 2002 MKII has in mast furling. Removed the mainsail last fall for cleaning and over the course of the winter the "hook" at the bottom of the furler (which connects to the tack of of the mainsail) has jammed in the mast to the point where I can't jar it loose with reasonable measures.

Has anyone run into this before and have any tricks to release it?

Also got me to thinking should I have secured the "tack hook" over the winter to prevent this?

More generally, any recommendations for securing the in-mast furler over the winter when the sail is off. 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Bill L.

Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake

Perseid
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Joined: 9/23/16
Posts: 12

Bill-

We have in-mast furling as well, we are hull 2084. For winter lay-up we use a 3/16" line threaded through holes at the top and bottom of 1" dia. 48" long foam pipe insulation, push on to the furling foil and up the center of the mast. Using holes top and bottom of each piece of insulation connects them together and helps move them up and down the foil. The foam insulation prevents the foil from banging side to side inside the mast. We attach the 3/16" line to the head swivel and using the halyard, pull the swivel and pipe insulation up the foil. We leave a 12-18"' space between the 8 pieces of pieces of foam insualtion. We pull the insulation to the mid point between the spreaders and top of mast. This has been enough to stop the foil from banging. I then tie off othe 3/16" line to the tack hook and secure the line to a cleat on the mast.
As far as the bent tack hook on your mast. I would suggest using a small pry bar to bend the hook towards the foil until you can rotate the hook towards the opening.  Another idea would be to loosen the nut holding the hook and attempt to rotate the hook down to releive the pressure agains the mast. Then replace the hook.
Lets us know how it goes, best of luck.

Bob Kissel
2002 36MK2 Hull# 2084
M35,WK,TR, In-mast
Lake Michigan
 

Bob & Kim Kissel
s/v "Full Circle"
2002 36 MKII Hull# 2084
Wing Keel, Tall Rig, In Mast Furling, M-35B
Lake Michigan

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sidthekid
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Posts: 47

Hi Bob, Thanks for your reply and suggestion for securing the foyle over the winter months. I'll be sure to use it next winter. I apologise for my slow response. I'd wanted to wait until I had a resolution before posting. I asked a local rigger to give me a hand. He had seen this jammed hook issue before. The rigger brought a hefty wire cutter tool with a "cupped" shape where the 2 cutting blades meet. He was able to use the cupped shape to get a solid enough grip on the hook and with a good amount of muscle released the hook. No damage done to the furler. Thanks again, Bill L.

Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake

pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 582

Re the winter "banging" I just tie a line to the piece to which the head of the sail is attached , haul it half way up the mast, apply temsin and tie it off. Stops the rattling banging noise.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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