[C320-list] In Mast Furling (Free advice)

[Nigel Price]

  Thanks for the comments on in-mast furling mains, Dick. I have an in-mast 
furler as well, but it has a boom vang with a pin through it and no block 
and tackle arrangement, which prevents any adjustment. I spoke to Frank 
Butler about about it and he said that they scrapped that idea and that I 
could buy an adjustable vang from them to replace it (nice of him). However, 
our local agent is adament that an adjustable vang is bad news and simply 
won't order it for me. What system is on your boat?
  Cheers,
  Nigel
  "Epiphany" #1061


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Richard A. Walker" <dickwalker at att.net>
  To: "'pkenefick'" <pkenefick at earthlink.net>; "'C320-List'" 
<c320-list at catalina320.com>
  Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 4:45 AM
  Subject: [C320-list] In Mast Furling (Free advice)


  We have hull #687 and I believe the first In Mast furling, ours is a yr 
2000
  boat.

  The best way to operate the In-Mast furling based on 7 years experience:

  1. Have a bit of slack in the main halyard.

  (If the main halyard is too tight it has too much friction and it is 
almost
  impossible to overcome that.  It is also a good idea to have a bit of 
slack
  in the halyard when you are not sailing, this helps to keep the rollers at
  the top of the mast from wear.)

  2. Have the boom at about 80 or so degrees.

  (It then can be adjusted.  This also relives downward pressure.  I am 6'2"
  and I like it up when we are going in a slip or anchoring to keep it above
  my head.)

  3. In heavy weather be into the wind, and be careful of a strong wind from
  the port side; the sail will tend to wrap around the mast.  Light wind 
seems
  not to matter.

  For the jib furling #1 applies.

  We really like the mast furling.  It does not seem to effect our speed, we
  kept our own in the regatta.  In fact the loose footed main works well 
when
  let out downwind.

  Cheers,

  Dick Walker
  C-320 (687) WindWalker II
  740 Olive Ave.
  Coronado, CA 92118-2136
  619.435.8986