Last revised: April 2019
28
We have trailing tell-
tales on the main leech to assist mainsail trim. If they don’t trail
straight aft when sailing upwind, most likely you need to back off on the mainsail
traveler. This boat sails best with a foot or so of mainsail luff and the tell tales flying
straight.
Reefing: [furling main]
Furling sails are great because of easy and flexible reefing:
1
–
Turn almost into the wind so the main is depowered but not luffing
2
–
Set up the continuous line around the winch in the cockpit with both line stoppers
open (avoid going up to the mast in windy conditions when it’s “time to reef” but be
sure the winch on the mast is set to “ratchet”).
3
–
Ready the outhaul line by wrapping it around its winch for some tension.
4
–
Furl in the mainsail using the winch while applying enough friction on the outhaul
line. The ratcheting of the winch on the mast will keep the sail from unfurling if the wind
fills the sail too much.
The Jib
:
The Hunter 33 is a fractional rig, so the 100% jib is not very big, making unfurling/furling
and tacking easy. Furling and unfurling is done just like with any other boat
Unfurling the Jib:
While on a close hauled tack (not into the wind), ready the appropriate sheet on the
winch to pull out the sail. Ready the furling line (starboard side of the cockpit) by
uncleating it and applying some tension as the sail unfurls. Use the winch assisted by
wind to unfurl the sail, but keep some tension. Cleat the furling line. Adjust the sail as
needed.
Furling the Jib:
While on a close hauled tack, ready the furling line by it wrapping around the starboard
winch. Prepare the sheet with just a few wraps around the winch ready to slip as the sail
furls in. As the furling line is winched to pull in the jib, keep a little tension on the sheet.
As the sail approaches being fully furled, apply tension to both sheets so the sail is furled
in tight and the sheets wrap once around the sail.
Do not wrap the sheets more than
once around the furler.
Leave some wraps on the furling drum.
Reefing the Jib:
As with any furling jib, furl it in about a third to reef pulling in on the furling line while
keeping tension on the sheets.
