Overloading The Genoa Furling System With Electric Winches

[Tafika II]

OK, this is a new one for me. While replacing a safety line and polishing the forward stainless, I noticed a twist in the ProFurl C420 attachment position. I am not sure when this happened, but my guess is last week in 18-20 knots winds. The furling worked (and still works) normally and the loads in the 18-20 knots of wind range should not have an affect as I was reefed two points on the genoa. No jibbing or hard tacking that I remember.

I contacted the two riggers I use and one stated the load generated by the electric winches is very high. When using them always be aware that you are not pulling against something that is cleated. The furling line unless it is windy you should be able to do by hand. If there is much more load than that you should check around and see why. When sailing with the genoa reefed, reef while luffing to reduce the load. When furled to the correct spot, cleat the furler and sheet in. Don’t try to furl while sailing with the sail full. The electric winch is perfect for the genoa sheet. Make sure the furling line is not holding against the sheet.

So, my lesson has been learned and not too costly as I’ll need to replace the brackets, toggle, clevis pin and bolt. Hope this helps other not do the same. I'll update this if I learn anything else!

Still waiting on comments from ProFurl/Wichard.

[Tafika II]

If anyone can find Pro Furl/Wichard part number P253311 - Link Plates, let me know. They are back order here in the USA for 8-10 weeks. If you find them, anywhere, email me and we'll make some arrangements.

[hoppy]

Try contacting some Wichard/Profurl distributers in Europe

www.wichard.com/retail-france-campus-marine-france.html

www.profurl.com/www-liste_revendeurs_etranger-25-UK-revendeurs.html

[Tafika II]

Found the parts I need and they will be here for my rigger to install on Friday!

[ubuysa]

If I'd got a penny for every electric winch problem I've seen I'd have.....well, a penny actually!

The big problem with electric winches is that you have little idea of the load being applied, with a manual winch you can feel that something isn't right.

The problem I saw was with an in-mast mainsail that was stiff to unfurl. The owner put the outhaul on an electric winch - and pulled the clew right out of the sail.

On the rare occasions when a furling line has to go on a winch we only ever use a manual winch and only ever in the 1:1 ratio. If it's too hard to furl with that then something is clearly wrong and needs investigating.

[On y va]

The electric winch: the sailmakers and riggers best friend!