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Ensign Sailing Forum

Roller Furling Problem
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Corrections.

 

In paragraph 5, change first “with” to “when.”

 

In paragraph 8, change “know” to “knot.”

 

Vic

 

I have the Harken furler on my Ensign.

 

The foil seems to be the length specified by Harken. There are a few inches of wire showing between the swaged-on fitting and the cap on the top of the foil.

 

The jib sheet block does not seem to be preventing the foil from turning, but it is certainly rubbing on the foil. On my boat I switched to a smaller block AND lowered the block 2 to 3 inches using another shackle. See the attached photo. You can see the scratches on the foil from before I lowered the block.  (My foil was cut even longer than yours, leaving almost no bare wire between the cap and the swaged-ion fitting.)

 

The lower jib halyard block also puts the block closer to the swivel at the top of the jib, which helps to prevent the jib halyard from wrapping around the forestay, which can be a serious issue.

 

Harken says you should NOT tighten the jib halyard too much with using the furler. The foil holds the luft of the jib straight, so you don’t need as much tension as you would with a hanked-on jib, and too much tension can wear the bearings. The lower jib halyard tension allows for a smaller block.

 

The Harken furler only works when the forestay is tight.  So, tighten the backstay before you try to furl or unfurl the sail.

 

Why do you think the problem is at the top of the jib?  There is no indication that the jib halyard is wrapping around the forestay. It’s also possible that the furling line is stuck in the drum. Based on the diameter and length of the line provided by Harken, it will fill the drum and can get stuck at the “windows” if all the line is on the drum, which happens when the sail is unfurled. When the sail is furled, you should have only 2 to 4 turns of line on the drum, and when you unfurl the sail, keep some pressure on the line as it is drawn onto the drum so it fits tightly. When sailing, keep the line cleated with a bit of tension. If it is loose, it can become jumbled on the drum, making it hard or impossible to pull in the jib until for send someone to the bow to fix the issue. (I know from experience.)

 

Another issue could be the knot in the furler line at the drum. If the know is too large, the drum can get stuck.

 

Send me an email at vic at victorroberts dot com if you continue to have issues with the furler and want to have a more detailed discussed.

 

Vic Roberts

#2032

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a New To Me Ensign. First boat i have had with Roller Furling...but it doesn't rotate. it seems the jib halyard block is binding. Please refer to attached photo. Is the jib halliard block too big?....or is it that the Harken foil is too long?

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