BENETEAU Oceanis 41.1 2017 Owners’ Notes page 40

Interlude Owners' Notes
1. Uncoil and prepare all needed lines – outhaul (red with white flecks), furling line (white & black), mainsheet
(grey with black flecks) and boom vang (black).
2. Open the clutch for the outhaul and furling lines. Ease the mainsheet and boom vang. Take 2-3 wraps of the
outhaul around the winch, and have a winch handle handy to deploy the sail.
3. Put the engine in Idle Forward and keep it there until the sail(s) are deployed.
4. Have the helmsman steer the boat so that the wind is coming slightly over the starboard bow (i.e., close-hauled,
starboard tack)
OPERATING TIP: The main favors unfurling and furling from the mast with the sail to port (starboard tack). The sail is
easier to deploy, retract and less likely to jam in this configuration.
5. Carefully deploy the sail by pulling smoothly on the outhaul, using the winch handle as necessary, keeping light
tension on the furling line. Once the sail is about 1/3 of the way deployed it will be easier to unfurl.
6. Continue to unfurl the main until the aft end of the outhaul sliding "car" on the boom aligns with the black mark
on the boom (see photo). The foot of the sail should be taut.
7. Close the clutches for the outhaul and main furling lines. Re-tension the boom vang as wind conditions dictates.
Sheet-in with the mainsheet and bear off when you are ready.
Furling the Mainsail
Here are the steps we follow to furl the mainsail:
1. Prepare all the lines (uncoil the outhaul, furling line and mainsheet).
Start the engine, place the transmission in "Idle Forward."
2. Ease the boom vang and mainsheet; take 2-3 turns of the white &
black furling line around the winch; open the outhaul and furling
clutches. Have a winch handle handy.
3. Have the helmsman steer towards the wind with the wind coming
slightly over the starboard bow (close hauled - starboard tack). Pull on
or winch-in the furling line while maintaining light pressure on the
outhaul. Keep an eye on the sail as it furls to ensure a snug wrap
without wrinkles.
4. Stop furling when the vertical black mark near the clew of the sail reaches the mast. This will leave ~1 ft. of the
sail at the clew visible and sticking out of the mast (see photo).
5. Tension the mainsheet, close the clutches for all lines, coil and
store the lines in the hanging storage bag beneath the winch. The
mainsheet is very long; we just coil it and hang it over the winch.
Reefing the Mainsail
Reefing the mainsail follows the same furling instructions given above
(except for starting the engine). Note the two vertical black marks at the
foot of the sail near the mast – these are your reefing marks. The first
vertical mark = one reef point, the second vertical mark = 2 reef points.
Furl the sail and adjust the amount of reef as needed for wind conditions.
As you furl the main watch the sail carefully to avoid wrinkles in the sail
as it enters the mast.
Furled mainsail & foresail - note mainsail clew exposed
37 – 40
Outhaul car deployed to black line on boom.
and one wrap of jib sheets around genoa.
March 2021