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Solved problems · Rigging · Crew answer

Why is my roller furler hard to furl or jammed?

A furler that suddenly gets hard to turn is often a halyard wrap or a tight halyard. Gradual stiffness points to dirty bearings or a poor furling line lead. Never force it with a winch.

Symptom

The furling line takes much more effort than usual, the sail won't roll up or unroll fully, or the furler stops dead partway.

Likely cause

The most serious cause is halyard wrap: the jib halyard winds around the forestay because the halyard swivel sits too low or the halyard leads at too shallow an angle. That can damage the forestay. A halyard that's too tight, spare halyards caught in the sail, salt or dirt in the bearings, a riding turn on the drum or a poor furling line lead all add friction.

Stop now if

The furler jams in strong wind with the sail partly out. Depower by heading downwind, ease the sheet, and drop or secure the sail if needed rather than winching the furling line. Never winch a jammed furler. Damage to the forestay or its fittings can bring the mast down.

The fix, in short

  1. Stop and look before forcing. If it suddenly gets hard, stop. Look up at the top swivel and the halyard to see if the halyard is wrapping around the foil.

  2. Ease the halyard. An over-tight halyard can bind the swivel. Ease it a little and try again.

  3. Clear spare halyards. Pull unused halyards away from the forestay and secure them so they can't be rolled into the sail.

  4. Check the drum and lead. Look for a riding turn or overlap on the drum, and make sure the furling line leads fair, at a right angle onto the drum, through free-running blocks.

  5. Fix halyard wrap at its source. Harken lists a low halyard swivel as a cause. A wire pendant at the head of the sail raises the swivel, and a halyard deflector improves the lead angle.

  6. Rinse and service the bearings. Flush the drum and swivel bearings with fresh water and service them as the maker recommends.

Written by Sailor Cruiser crew. General guidance, not an inspection of your boat.

Equipment involved

  • Rigging: Headsail roller furler, drum, top swivel, foil, forestay, jib halyard and furling line

Related guides

Sources

Background reading we checked while writing this answer. The wording above is our own.

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