Hello Terry,

Well, that's what the inner forestay is for. We don't sail with a partially
furled jib. We do carry smaller jibs hanked to an inner forestay for the
conditions you mention. Will the furler ever fail? It may but I have also
had halyards jump sheaves and heads jammed when they were ground into the
mast head. In either circumstance a trip to the top was required to fix the
problem.

When it comes to roller furling jibs I'm willing to risk a possible failure
for the benefit is provides. I can't say that about main furling systems
today but who knows maybe I'll feel differently about those in the future.
I guess what I'm saying is maintain your gear, be somewhat prudent, and have
a plan for when stuff does not work as advertised.

Fair winds,

Bryan


"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
...
Bryan wrote:
Well, as others have said:
1) It costs the same to extrude 2 grooves as one.
2) When racing you make a headsail change by running the new jib up on
the free groove then lowering the old sail. Remember to match the halyard
to the groove, port to port and starboard to starboard or you will twist
your halyards.
3) Sure you can raise a second jib without using the upper swivel but you
will not be able roll either jib in this configuration. You need to
lower the second jib to roll the first.
4) I like hanks but good roller furling has been well tested and is
pretty durable.

Good luck


One needs to consider the eventual breakdown of any equipment. It does go
beyond convenience and cost, however.

Somehow furling a too large jib one way or another, is critical as the
wind increases, as can be a crew shortage.

If I can pull a line to furl or douse, how then do I raise a suitable
sized jib singlehanded, or with a small crew? I don't ever want to sail
upwind with a bag for a jib, it is the most important sail.

Swapping sails using a furler with no large crew seems a pain, as is the
furler itself. It is easier for one crew to hank on a replacement, retreat
to the cockpit and hoist it than to corral and feed a replacement and
hoist it from the foredeck.

It's safer using a jib pull down line and hanks than a furler when
conditions get hairy enough to convince you you left reefing too late, but
it must be done, now.

Terry K

"Don White" wrote in message
...

Steve wrote:

Wow! What a brain Fart!

I have been using the sail term 'clew' when I really meant 'TACK' ..

I really know the difference and want to correct my error before the
whole group Flames Me!

Steve


Thanks for clearing that up!
I thought there was some kind of new-fangled hardware out there and
couldn't figure out how it worked.