The On Deck Channelvideo
How-To Get Furling Line RIGHT | How the Pros Do It
1 March 2026 · 10 min · 4K views · St. Petersburg
Steven measures furling line beside winch with tape measure
What this video covers
Determining the correct length for a headsail or staysail furling line requires calculating the distance from the furling drum to the cockpit winch, adding the foot length of the sail, and including an additional 8 to 12 feet for emergency wraps.2:46 For a 40-foot boat, this typically results in a line length of approximately 75 feet.2:50 To prevent the drum from overfilling and jamming, remove the inner core from the final 10 feet of the line that attaches to the drum.3:45 This modification allows the cover to lay flat and prevents bunching against the drum's line guards.4:42 Use 3/8-inch (10mm) double-braid polyester for furling lines rather than high-strength Dyneema.5:12 Polyester acts as a mechanical fuse, potentially breaking before the high-load forces of a halyard wrap can damage the forestay.5:13 Secure the end of the line by whipping the cover after the core extraction to ensure the remaining structure remains stable.8:50
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