SAILING FURLER AND METHOD

摘要

A sail furler for a sail boat and method for furling a sail for reefing or storage and for unfurling a sail for use. Furling and unfurling of the sail may be accomplished from the cockpit of the sailboat. A mandrel is mounted to the mast extending generally parallel to the boom and attached to the aft end of boom by an aft plate. The mandrel is mounted in bearings and provided with a removable crank for rotation. The mandrel is connected to the mast by a universal joint and bearing structure over which is provided an outer cylinder. A cylinder and resilient sleeve may be provided on the mandrel. A reef brake extends from the mandrel into contact with the boom to prevent rotation for reefing the sail. A slide guard may be mounted at the mast end of the mandrel.

主权项

1. A sail furler, comprising:
a mandrel having a first end and a second opposite end, the mandrel being configured for attaching to a sail of a sailboat; an aft plate at the first end of the mandrel, the mandrel being rotatable relative to the aft plate, the aft plate being configured for mounting to a boom or spar of a sailboat; a bearing at the second end of the mandrel, the bearing being configured for mounting to a mast of the sailboat, the mandrel being rotatable in the bearing; a rotating apparatus connected to the mandrel at the first end of the mandrel, the rotating apparatus being operable to rotate the mandrel so as to selectively furl the sail onto the mandrel or unfurl the sail from the mandrel.