IP 350 Staysail and in mast furling

I have two issues that I would appreciate feedback on regarding my IP 350-11 CHANCE
1. In light wind (<10 knots) the genoa will usually not clear the staysail furler when tacking. Since we use the staysail rarely, I'm thinking of removing it. Thoughts?

2. We have in mast furling for the main. It regularly fouls near the top of the mast as we are bringing it out, seemingly on a fold which can't get out the slot.We do maintain tension on the outhaul when furling. A partial solution has been to raise the boom a foot or so when furling/unfurling. This reduces but does not eliminate the problem, with pressure on the outhaul causing the fold to pop out eventually. What's up? Is this a mast straightness issue?

thanks

rick peloquin

Hi Rick,

1. My 370 is unique in the IP universe in that it has no staysail. The original owner didn't care for one I guess. It's great not having to get the headsail through the slot. But several days each season I wish I had one because it would be possible to point higher. If this continues to be vexing, I'll install a quick-release headstay for deployment when needed; otherwise clipped to the rail. That's an involved installation for me, but going the other way should be pretty easy for you.

2. I had problems furling and unfurling my main. The problem turned out to be the main itself: it was old and blown-out. It didn't look that bad, but it was too irregular to roll smoothly. I spoke with Travis, I think, at Mack Sails who said he gets 2 - 3 calls per week about this problem. I replaced the main and it has been effortless ever since. It might be worth giving Mack Sails a call.

Hope this helps.
Steve

Hi Steve - very much appreciate your reply. A bit surprised to hear about the fix for #2 and will certainly follow up

Rick...I find that halyard tension is an important variable with our in mast furling. I relax the halyard when finished sailing for the day, and it sets easily at this lighter tension. I typically add halyard tension if going close to the wind, and furling seems less sensitive to the greater tension than unfurling is. Hope this helps...no boat bucks needed for this solution!

We recently purchased IP350 Hull Number 15, now called Inspiration. We experienced the same problem with the in mast roller furling. The two things that helped the most were:
1. The Mainsail was old and blown out. I replaced it with a North Sail Norlam Material with a radial cut.

2. The mast had a camber to it but it needs to be perfectly straight..

Hi Rick, as others noted possibly a new sail is required for your main. That said as you mentioned easing the boom by releasing the vang and tensioning the topping lift when furling should help and is a recommended technique with in mast furlers.