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After sailing on a boat, for our sailing class, with a furler I think we want one for our 26D. Has hard is it to step and raise the mast with a furler? Also how about traveling with the sail furled on top of the boat? We will be stepping the mast each time we go out so we will be a true trailer sailer. Any tips, tricks, dos and dont's would be appreciated.

A Furler is actually quicker in my opinion, for trailer sailing.

A padded bag, or some other method to control the furling drum during raising and lowering will help you keep your deck from getting scratched up. Some use a line on the drum to control the Furler during raising/lowering.

A mast raising rig with brake winch allows you to raise the mast, stopping at any point along the way to untangle stays and shrouds.

Baby shrouds (often called baby stays), to control side to side movement of the mast during raising are a big help.

Velcro straps to secure the Furler to the mast during transport. I like them better than bungee cords.

Center support for the mast to eliminate bounce.

Rig a Furler support on the mast, or otherwise secure it for transport. Don't let it flop around.

Only disconnect and remove the bare minimum to have safe transport. Keep as much on the boat, near the position it needs to be in, as possible.

Pack the boat at home - not on the ramp. Coolers, clothing, towels, food, etc. should be on the boat when it leaves the driveway. You should find a clear spot away from the ramp to stand up the rig, then back it down the ramp and go.

If you have any questions, glad to add further clarification. I trailer every time, also.

Thanks for the tips. Seems a furler may just be what we need.

A few pics for clarity...

Is that a PVC trough for the furler to lie in? Did you make that? Pics always speak a thousand words and make me ask even more....

Yes. I knocked it together to replace the metal crutch that the previous owner used...





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Jimmy
Did u send the PO his crutch back ! , what,s the measurements of the foil support , if u r too cheap to turn on the lights when taking pic,s u can always turn on the flash ! for better clarity in ur pic,s

Another good hint for newb,ies raising ur mast away from the ramp make sure they r no overhead wires or overhanging structures or tree limbs that,ll catch ur mast or shrouds between ur boat & the launch ramp

J

Highlander wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 8:37 am Jimmy
Did u send the PO his crutch back ! , what,s the measurements of the foil support , if u r too cheap to turn on the lights when taking pic,s u can always turn on the flash ! for better clarity in ur pic,s

Another good hint for newb,ies raising ur mast away from the ramp make sure they r no overhead wires or overhanging structures or tree limbs that,ll catch ur mast or shrouds between ur boat & the launch ramp

J

Still dragging a catheter/bag around, so I'm not doing my best work right now. Will put up a sketch with dimensions when I can.

No, I didn't send the crutch back. Our agreement was, I bought everything on the boat.

Great point about power lines. The fowl river ramp has power lines that you have to be very mindful of.

The older I get the more I'm convinced I'll never go back to hank on jib.

Staying off the foredeck of a small bouncing boat is so much better.

Oh, the purists will have other opinions. But I'm not a purist.

Ditto

Russ wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 8:58 am The older I get the more I'm convinced I'll never go back to hank on jib.

Staying off the foredeck of a small bouncing boat is so much better.

Oh, the purists will have other opinions. But I'm not a purist.

dlandersson wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 10:00 am Ditto

Russ wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 8:58 am The older I get the more I'm convinced I'll never go back to hank on jib.

Staying off the foredeck of a small bouncing boat is so much better.

Oh, the purists will have other opinions. But I'm not a purist.

X3, because when u git to my age it,s not the boat doing most of the rockin & swaying it,s Me Jez !

J

A hank-on jib with a down haul led back to the cockpit will keep you off the foredeck as well. Before that I had a rule that crew could only strike the jib standing in the foredeck hatch in rough weather. No one goes on the bow in rough weather!

Be Free wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 11:06 am A hank-on jib with a down haul led back to the cockpit will keep you off the foredeck as well. Before that I had a rule that crew could only strike the jib standing in the foredeck hatch in rough weather. No one goes on the bow in rough weather!

Sounds like a good rule to me!

It was an easy rule to enforce. I'm usually the only one on board.

Be Free wrote: ↑Sun May 22, 2022 11:06 am A hank-on jib with a down haul led back to the cockpit will keep you off the foredeck as well. Before that I had a rule that crew could only strike the jib standing in the foredeck hatch in rough weather. No one goes on the bow in rough weather!

True but as long as that sail is still on the deck the leach flapping away it,s taking a beating , but better than Havin to worry about MOB !
& U singin Oh come back ,Oh come back to Me ! or being dragged along as shark bait !
J