Harken 7415.15S MKIV Hydraulic Jib Reefing & Furling - Manual (Page 28)

28 MKIV Hydraulic Unit 5
Operation Reefing/Secure Sail
Furl and Reef
To furl or reef, ease jib sheets and press correct
switch to furl sail.
In very light air, it may be necessary to place
some tension on jib sheet to insure a tight furl.
To furl in a breeze, ease sheets gradually and furl
sail in smaller increments until sail is furled or
reefed.
When furling or reefing, make sure that nothing
is jammed. Review swivel height, lead angle, halyard restrainer information. Make sure operator has a good view of sail
and stops furling when sail is rolled and sheets have a wrap or two on the furled sail. Stop immediately if sheets jam or
halyard wraps. If operator does not have a good view, station a crew member with good visibility and communicate to
operator. If motor is laboring stop and check for reason. Consult “Troubleshoot” on page 31.
WARNING! A hydraulic furling system is very powerful and jammed parts can break suddenly at high
load. Stop furling immediately and correct problem.
Reefing Tips
A sail may be partially furled before you resume sailing.
This is known as reefing.
Many sailors find it helpful to place marks on foot of sail
so that they can reef to a variety of predetermined jib
sizes. This allows marks to be placed on jib lead tracks
or toe rail so that lead block position can be changed
to correspond to reefed jib.
Sails are generally reefed to balance boat and to reduce
heeling moment. Sails may also be reefed to improve
visibility or to slow boat while sailing in congested
areas or entering or leaving harbors.
Secure Sail
When furling prior to leaving your boat in slip or on
mooring, be sure that you get a tight furl and continue
furling system until sheets wrap around rolled sail two
or three times. Some people secure sail with shock
cord or sail ties.