I know this topic is frequently discussed, but its probably worth mentioning again for some of the newer members with in-mast furling. If you are having challenges furling the mainsail - resorting to hard cranking of the inhaul line, try loosening the mainsail halyard. This eliminates the tension stress in the furling mechanism and dramatically reduces the effort required to furl the main. When I installed the mainsail this season, I applied only a very modest tension to the halyard. Furling is very easy now- just by hand. No longer do I need to use the winch handle for leverage.
—
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Great point. If you have to use the winch, something is wrong. A couple of additions.
make sure your into the wind with the wind just a bit to starboard. If the wind is from port, it will put pressure and rub against the slot. Making it harder.
Use the topping lift to lift the boom just a bit above horizontal when pulling it out. This seems to make it come out much smoother.
the only time I use the winch is reefing. That's when you really love the roller furling main. Did a Keys trip in April and we set a speed record on a reach. Kept reefing till we had scraps of sail and still doing 7.5 to 8.8 knots over the ground all night. Had to heave for a few hours to wait for sunrise. Pretty exciting run.
2000 C36 MKII 1825
This is true with a roller furling jib also. If it is hard to roll it in, just release some tension on the halyard and it will roll up a lot more easily.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050