Harken 7320.10 ESP Jib Reefing & Furling - Manual (Page 27)

ESP Unit 0, 1 27
Operation Check Halyards
Backstay Adjusters and Halyard Tension
Backstay adjusters allow headstay tension to be varied to change sail shape to match
conditions. They permit a very tight headstay to be eased when boat is not in use. For best
performance, consider adding a backstay adjuster: either a block and tackle, a mechanical
adjuster, or hydraulic adjuster like those offered by Harken.
Remember to keep headstay tight for best performance when furling or reefing.
IMPORTANT! Ease halyard before tensioning backstay adjuster. If not, backstay
adjuster will increase halyard tension and could damage the sail or furling system.
Racing boats often slack the headstay completely when sailing downwind. Check to be
sure that foil does not jam against upper headstay terminal when backstay is released.
It may be necessary to shorten foil slightly to prevent this.
Halyard Tension
The jib halyard should be firm, but not too tight.
Tip: The foil supports sail along its length so halyard tension is used
only to shape sails, not to support them. Use enough halyard tension to
remove some wrinkles along luff of sail. Do not tension halyard enough
to cause vertical wrinkles in luff of sail. Tension to adjust position of
draft in sail to suit sailing conditions. Halyard should be firm but not
tight. If in doubt ease halyard tension. To protect sail, ease halyard
when boat is not in use.
On many boats it will not be possible to attach the
spinnaker halyard to the bow pulpit or it may be
"sucked" into jib when furling.
On some boats the spinnaker halyard lays across the
headstay and will catch on halyard swivel, foils, or
jib halyard.
Boats with external halyards may find it necessary to
flip both ends of spinnaker halyard behind spreaders
to prevent fouling with furling system.
Spinnaker Halyards
Make sure spinnaker halyards are clear of furler.
WARNING! In severe cases, spinnaker
halyards can jam furler causing loss of
control of boat. Make sure all halyards
are clear of top of top foil.
Jib Halyard