[C320-list] Roller furling

[Ed or Sue Edwards]

   My wife and I recently purchased #347 which was built in 1996, "REBOUND".  A month ago we took a shake down cruise for both the boat and crew.  We are novices.  I had replaced several lines before we left but didn't replace the furling line.  The line was slightly frayed but not fully understanding the consequences of that line parting, I hadn't gotten to it yet.  I'll try to keep this short and less interesting than the actual episodes.  We were returning home in 15-20 knot winds , true.  Single reefed main and the 135 genoa  furled to about 100.  We were close hauled in some really sloppy water with an occasional wave over the bow.  As we were preparing to tack to clear a point the furling line choose that moment to break.  OOPS, a fully deployed 135.  After 30 minutes I managed to fish the end of the line out of the drum and partially furl the sail then wrestle the rest of the sail enough to get it tied down.
    When I went on the foredeck I had my wife fire up the engine just in case.  When I got back to the wheel I noticed the engine was overheating so we shut it down and we ran down wind to the nearest marina.  The engine ran fine again.  I couldn't find a store to buy new furling line so I used a shorter piece of line that I had on the boat.  I wouldn't do that again.  I didn't put on enough line to fully deploy the headsail but we were going to be reefed anyway, no big deal.  I wish I hadn't left the 110 in the garage.
   Much later after sailing in the dark for the first time on any boat, let alone a new boat, what could have been a romantic cruise took an immediate turn for the worse.  Our 15 knot wind suddenly was hitting 25, of course we were close to shore at that point.  I released the jib sheet, we straighten up and tacked off shore while I start to furl in the genoa.  That sucker wouldn't budge, nothing I could do would furl the sail.  With the wind still at 25, the headsail beating we, and my wife wanting to join in, I dropped the main and proceeded into calmer water with the genoa, but the wind is still whistling pretty good.
   Back onto the deck with flashlight, pliers and knife, oh yes, and a yellow Lab that it this point has figured out that I need some help.  Again I had my wife start up the engine and start motoring slowly, if anything else goes wrong our next stop will be the beach.  On deck, I finally conclude that the roller furling line is helplessly jammed behind the screw backing plate on the upper inside of the furling drum and held in place with other wraps of line.  (I think that the backing plate deserves a good look by everyone.)   I decide to drop the sail, BUT,  with the short line on the furler, I still have at least one wrap of sail around the foil.  By cutting the line the sail unfurls and I start to drop the sail.  "Honey, why is this buzzer making a noise?"  Off goes the engine, over the bow goes the anchor.  Things are not going well.  With the help of one very brave and trusting wife plus a helpful yellow Lab, we drop and stow the sail.  By now there is again nothing obviously wrong with the engine.  We can see our marina so we slowly motor home and manage to get in the slip without hitting anything.  Tequila never tasted so good.
   A really good diesel mechanic has thoroughly checked all systems searching for a reason why it overheated, without luck.  Hopefully it was only operator error.  
   I am a novice but I would be reluctant to weaken anything to do with the furling system, the consequences might be interesting.  My line winds to the top of the drum so I am also looking for a cure.  Be sure to check out the inside of your drum, if anyone has an idea on how to deal with the backing plate, I would be interested in a fix.
  I'm pleased to say that we survived our shake down cruise and I hope you are all as lucky as I am.  Sue is still planning on sailing with me.

Ed