jib self furler

[mjspencer01]

I have a jib self furler from Schaefer. Does anybody use one of these? I'm wondering specifically how to attach my jib to it. I beleive the top of the jib attaches to the halyard for hoisting and somehow the bottom attaches to the furler. Then when you want to you can pull the line on the furler and it will roll the jib around its built in cable. Seem like you need a swivel at the top where it attaches to the halyard so it can turn.

Also, I'm wondering what's an easy way to attach the jib main to the clew. its one long line so I'm assuming I tie in on at the middle. Is there a preferred knot for that?


Here are pictures of my jib furler. Please pardon the yellow bungee cord with the black hook hogging the picture. The furler attaches to the eye bolt aft of the u-bolt on the bow and sits free to move about a bit when the bungee cord is not in the way.

Melanie

[Adrift]

I have a jib self furler from Schaefer. Does anybody use one of these?

Not on my DS. I've used them on much bigger keel boats. On those boats the system is more complicated and the sail wraps around the forestay.

I'm wondering specifically how to attach my jib to it. I beleive the top of the jib attaches to the halyard for hoisting and somehow the bottom attaches to the furler. Then when you want to you can pull the line on the furler and it will roll the jib around its built in cable.

That is basically all there is too it. And you release the control line and pull on a sheet to unwrap the sail.

Seem like you need a swivel at the top where it attaches to the halyard so it can turn.

Yes, otherwise the halyard gets all twisted and messed up. Sadly, since it is a "boat part" it will probably set you back $50. Do you have a bag of leftover parts that you don't know what to do with? It probably looks like a large size spool of sewing thread with a dowel jammed into one end. The lower end of the swivel has a split in the spool and a pin that runs across it (to capture the head of the jib) and the top is the dowel which will have an eye for the halyard. Though they do vary in appearance.

Also, I'm wondering what's an easy way to attach the jib main to the clew. its one long line so I'm assuming I tie in on at the middle. Is there a preferred knot for that?

So simple that I don't know if it qualifies as a "knot", but you just fold the jib sheet in the middle, stuff the fold-loop through the grommet a couple of inches, then pull both sheets (tail first) through the fold-loop, pull the tails snug. Done!

If that doesn't make sense I can try to put a photo up.

[jpclowes]

Something else you might want to consider for your sail. Sunlight breaks sails down. Most roller furling systems hava a piece of sunbrella sewed down the leach of the sail, so that when the sail is rolled up and left for a long time, the sunbrella completely covers the sailcloth. You might want to have a local sailmaker add one if there is not one on your sail. When the sail is unfurled, it looks like an "L" Shaped piece of cloth along the leach and foot of the part of the sail that is outside. Usually it is only a few inches wide. I have no idea how much it costs, but it might be worth it because it is probably cheaper than a new jib.

[mjspencer01]

So in this picture I think this thing on the right, attached to the jib halyard must be the spool of thread type part mentioned above and I just need to put a clevis pin in it? Anything special about that pin? (the part on the left would be the D shackle for the main halyard)



Then another clevis pin in the bottom to the split on the furler?

I have an extra part that says Schaefer on it. Its a snap shackle like this:
http://schaeferhardware.com/detail.aspx?ID=887

Does that go into this mix somewhere? Maybe to attach one end of the sail somehow?

That tip about the jib sheet was about what I remembered. Thank you.

As for the sunbrella fabric mentioned, great idea. If I ever leave the boat in the water I'll consider it. For now I'm doomed to trailerhood between sailing outings.

Thanks so much to both of you for your input. It is much appreciated and is very reassuring.

[Adrift]

Hey, your investigations have just found you $100-$150 worth of bote parts!

Yes, the first photo is almost certainly the upper swivel.

The second is a generic boat part. Snap shackles are used many places. Allows you to quickly attach a line. Although it does swivel, that is used to keep things from getting twisted. It isn't meant for repeated, many turn uses such as the furler swivel is.

A real good use on bigger boats is to clip a boat fender to something. (Such as toe rails or lifelines.)

Wind surfer / kite surfer folks use those sorts of things to snap themselves to their rig. (But usually lever operated, not pin operated.)

Some people use one to make a quick disconnect for the main sheet (to remove from the boom).

Not recommended, but you COULD use it to attach the jib sheets to the sail. That makes for a heavy, dangerous thing flapping, and can make dings in the mast when you tack. (I leave my sheets on the sail until it is time for spring cleaning.)

Can be used for spinnaker lines, preventers, wherever ... but use common sense about that having that big hunk of metal flapping around loose...

[mjspencer01]

Thanks for your help on this. The jib furler works beautifully!!! And I can think of some uses for those swivel shackles now that you've pointed out pros and cons. I appreciate the feedback very much.

Melanie