Sails And Rigging - BENETEAU Lady Grey Owners’ Notes

Lady Grey – Owners' Notes

22. Sails and Rigging

Mainsail
Lady Grey has an in mast roller furling mainsail. Unlike a standard main, it is best to have wind in a furling
main when deploying, similar to deploying a furling jib. The wind adds even pressure all the way up the
mast and helps the sail deploy. This even works going down wind (in moderate winds, up to about 15
knots). We installed a new mainsail in 2022 which does not have vertical battens. Since we have put on this
new sail there have been no issues with unfurling. Here are the procedures we use for furling and unfurling:
Unfurling:
1. Un-cleat the boom vang, furling line, outhaul and main sheet.
2. Usually we wrap the main sheet 2 turns on the port winch but do not cleat it. The idea being to
free the mainsheet but also keep it from running out.
3. Remember to fall off so there is wind in the sail.
4. Take a couple wraps on the starboard winch with the outhaul line. Start pulling the sail out of
the mast by hand. If you do use the winch, do not force the sail out. At the first sign that the
sail is not coming out freely, stop and loosen the outhaul. Then, go forward to the mast, grab
the foot of the sail and give it a hard yank out of the mast (aft). This method works 100% of
the time for us with very little fanfare.
5. Once the sail if fully deployed putting the outhaul on the winch is reasonable and necessary.
6. Tighten boom vang and sheet in as needed. It is okay to use the electric winch on the sheet.
Furling:
1. Loosen the sheet (don't need it flapping unless in stronger winds as it is best to keep a little wind
in the main as it helps tension it for a tight wrap on the furling drum.
2. Un-cleat the outhaul and have a member of the crew hold this line as you furl the main. Keep
tension on the sail so it wraps tightly around the furler.
3. Take a couple wraps on the starboard winch with the furling line. Pull by hand. You may need
to use a winch handle, lightly, just to get it started. Do not use the electric motor!
4. The entire sail does not go into the mast, please leave the last foot or so exposed (it is section
with sail controls and UV protection, which is designed to be out).
5. Tighten boom vang and sheet to keep boom from swinging too much but not so tight that the
boom comes down to the dodger.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to keep a bit of tension on the outhaul in order to get a nice tight wrap of the
mainsail inside the mast. A little wind (it does not take much) in the sail will accomplish the same thing.
Remember, if you furl the main without any wind pressure on it (if you're becalmed), tension on the
outhaul line is the ONLY force that will get you a nice tight wrap inside the mast. A loosely furled main
inside the mast could mean a tough next deployment or, in the worst case, a jammed main. Also, be
aware that too much halyard tension will cause the furler to bind. So, please do not add halyard
tension. If the main is repeatedly arguing with you try loosening the halyard – it does not take much,
just an inch makes a big difference.
Headsail
Our genoa is a 110 and makes a good sail shape when fully deployed. During periods of heavier winds you
may furl the headsail as desired. Please keep moderate tension on the roller furling line when deploying
the headsail to prevent a rat's nest on the drum. Similar tension on the sheets should be used when
furling to prevent 'candy striping' of the furled sail.
28
November 2023