Reefing Lines Hard to Pull

[GeoffSchultz]

I've noted that my in-boom reefing lines have become much harder to pull when raising the sail. As a result I pull the reefing lines through to the end of the boom before raising the sail. This leaves a long loop of line dangling around, which is potentially quite dangerous. I don't quite understand what's going on as they used to raise fine, but now exhibit a large amount of drag. I've checked the individual blocks, and they seem OK. Has anyone else seen this and how did you solve it?

-- Geoff

[THATBOATGUY]

I have noticed that as lines age they present greater and greater resistance in blocks. This effect is to the point of being counter-intuitive. For instance, with our old halyards it was nearly impossible to raise the sails without some mechanical assistance. I had no previous experience with the strong track system so I was attributing too much of the resistance to that. New halyards and they go up ever so sweet with far less effort. I have found that washing the lines with fabric softener can breath some new life into them. This does however leave them a bit fuzzy. I've also known some sailors on a budget to use some kind of an electric "razor" to clean up the fuzzys.

George

[numbknots]

THE FUZZYS,

I have heard of that, we use brazilian waxing in these latitudes, so sweet! Numbknots

[jgeorgas]

I had the same problem with my outhaul. Turns out the birdies had packed t.he end of the boom with bird nest matl

[Ereiss]

I also had the same bird in boom problem. Had straw coming out of the aft end of the boom all summer.

[GeoffSchultz]

My problem isn't bird (nest) related. I can see down the entire length of the interior of the boom, and it's clear.

-- Geoff

[dwight]

I had a birds nest in the boom when I bought my boat. I had to remove the casting from the end of the boom, hang the boom over the side, release the lazyjacks to rest the boom on the lifelines and spray a high pressure hose from the gooseneck. This blew the bird crap out the end. I also removed the reef lines and ran them through the washer.

I found that a sponge cut slightly larger than the hole can be wedged it in place. Kept the birds out of my boom for four years until the sponge crumbled with age. Easy and cheap to replace.

[THATBOATGUY]

Good reminder for me to remove the rags from the mizzen boom!

George