[C320-list] Roller furling

[Allan Field]

Ed - Do you have any idea how fortunate you are to have such a Best Mate?
You are truly one lucky guy!  She sure sounds like a keeper to me!  Where
were you sailing out of for this magical moment with your bride?

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Ed or Sue Edwards
Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:40 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Roller furling

   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 
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