steven
Sustaining Member
I was on the Severn (near Annapolis) today beating into a 15kt southerly with 18-21 apparent across the deck.
Doing nicely under 100% jib with no main. But the wind was building, and over 20kts apparent I would need the main (with single reef) to hold any reasonable angle to weather. Decided to power rather than fuss with the main (I was headed in anyway - though reluctantly, the weather was absolutely beautiful).
Came head to wind but was unable to furl. Furler (Harken) rolled upabout half way and then just stuck.
Unfurled and tried again. Same result.
Went fwd intending to drop the jib if necessary. But the sail did not look like it was binding up top, so I pulled harder and managed to furl.
Question is: why did it get stuck ? Worked perfectly smoothly yesterday at the dock.
The extra load of a flogging jib is I think not enough to account for the difficulty.
But I'm wondering if my headstay might be sagging under the sail load at that wind speed.
Would that cause it to furl unevenly and not be able to fully furl ?
Or might there be another (better) explanation ?
--Steve
Doing nicely under 100% jib with no main. But the wind was building, and over 20kts apparent I would need the main (with single reef) to hold any reasonable angle to weather. Decided to power rather than fuss with the main (I was headed in anyway - though reluctantly, the weather was absolutely beautiful).
Came head to wind but was unable to furl. Furler (Harken) rolled upabout half way and then just stuck.
Unfurled and tried again. Same result.
Went fwd intending to drop the jib if necessary. But the sail did not look like it was binding up top, so I pulled harder and managed to furl.
Question is: why did it get stuck ? Worked perfectly smoothly yesterday at the dock.
The extra load of a flogging jib is I think not enough to account for the difficulty.
But I'm wondering if my headstay might be sagging under the sail load at that wind speed.
Would that cause it to furl unevenly and not be able to fully furl ?
Or might there be another (better) explanation ?
--Steve