Need input on reducing friction in our furling main system

[janetma]

Hi…hoping we can get some suggestions on how to solve some problems we’re having with our 1985 Hood roller furling main (on a Lafitte 44). Due to the many turning points in the system, the outhaul car becomes extremely difficult to move with any sideload whatsoever on the main.

Things we’re considering to reduce the friction in the system & solve the problem:

1. Replacing standard nylon sheaves with ball-bearing sheaves in the outhaul & furling systems.
2. Mounting a track with a ball bearing car onto the boom to replace the existing car that travels on nylon sliders.
3. Downsizing the outhaul line. (The furling line is appropriately sized but the outhaul line may be oversized).
4. Joining Gold’s gym and power lifting this fall :<)

Any other suggestions or input on the above, particularly in specifying a new track (i.e. traveler track and car? $500 in parts…will it do the job?)

Thanks for any input you can offer…

FYI, the line tender winch is new; and the furler bearings inmast seem to be fine.

[Stumble]

Just a few questions to clear a few things up.

1) Has this system ever worked correctly? If not there is likely a design problem. If it has then we need to look for broken parts.

2) Is this an adjustment problem while under sail, or does it bind when pulling the sail out?

I normally try not to replace items until I am sure I have identified the exact problem, since often it isn't what you think and may spend a lot of money without fixing the underlying problem.

[Brian Duff]

Sailor,

I am not sure off hand which mast is on the Lafitte 44, and that will have some bearing on just what areas are in need of improvement. My guess from your description that it is likely a Z-spar/Isomat type system. Other systems will require different attentions than listed below.

The upgrades we make to ease operation of in-mast roller furling are as follows, and probably in this order of priority (presuming all pieces are working now)
-Tune mast with very very little pre-bend
-Replace sheaves in boom with bronze bushing sheaves (finding 'off the shelf' ball bearing sheaves is not usually possible, and not needed when good sheaves are made- as in zephyrwerks.com)
-replace blocks on boom, mast base and deck organizers with ESP blocks from Harken
- replace both furling and outhaul line with low stretch and smaller diameter line (except on 'worm drive' style in-mast spindles, where line size must remain the same)
-replace the car on boom for ball bearing car (last because its most expensive to do, and really the car is not a big friction source when used correctly)

of course none of these things will solve the problem you have if the bearings of the furling unit itself are dirty, or broken, or if the unit is not used correctly. Make sure the vang is loosend off (but not free) so that the leech is not strapped during unrolling, as this will make friction at the car, and all other points, that doesn't need to be there. Also having wind in the sail loaded will increase friction and make furling difficult, as well as the last few feet of un-furling.

Course you could get an electric winch, as on a 44' boat manual drive is really too much for most sailors anyway.

Good Luck !

[janetma]

A very belated thanks for your suggestions, Brian! We'll go with those suggestions...

And thanks also for your reply, Stumble. The parts are all in working order; we're really trying to ease the operation, as Brian noted.

Best,

Janet