I have just purchased a Bavaria 30 Cruiser with Selden in mast furling. It has the original (2007) Elvstrom main sail. We experienced problems with the main jamming. Do members feel that replacing the main will solve the issue or is there maintenance to the rig that members can suggest that would help too? I do appreciate that most jamming issues are related to not correctly unfurling & re furlingNXUKTV the main under the correct tension.
Furling the main in and out is indeed different than with main drop sails (as you do it with the boom to PS and some power in the sail) Other things to check are the tension on the mandrel and the tension on your backstay when rolling in and out. If the tension on the mandrel is to low, it will bend through when unrolling which makes the sailbundle to run against the internal mastpocket. How to do this can be found in the Seldén manual and also YouTube "how to" clips. Also when your mast is curved too much backward, you also may encounter difficulties.
Last thing is the age of the sail. Depending on the use, after 17 years it can be deepened a lot which causes creases and folds in the sail making the bundle also thinker than it needs to be.. but a lot to check and to do before you consider buying a new main sail (although the good period of the year as many lofts give discounts) I also needed to learn how furling sails are not causing headaches anymore, but once you are used to it...
Congratulations with the purchase! I had the same concerns when I purchased Mirage, however, after a bit of maintenance and practise it is simplicity itself. Our sails were new when we purchased her though, with vertical batons.
https://www.sailingmirage.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PBO286.prac_stiff_roller_furling.pdf
Hope the above is useful.
Amazing the sail has lasted that long - on both my new Bavarias they lasted less than 4 years before becoming baggy and not only losing performance, particularly greater leeway but tricky to furl well without getting folds.
So apart from checking the mechanics as suggested and always furl with the wind off the starboard bow probably time for a new sail. Probably the best without going into vertical battens or laminates is to have one made from one of the hybrid sailcloths such as Vectran which are much more stable and long lasting than ordinary Dacron Mine was made by Kemp Sails and the difference was really noticeable. Well worth the premium, although the sail will not be much more than a conventional fully battened slab reefed sail because there is far less labour involved
Another vote for Kemp here too - ours are Kemp and are six years old now but could be new. They do have verticals batons which help the shape, but that doesn't impede furling.
While battens are one solution it is worth checking that the mast extrusion used will take the extra bulk. It would not on my 33 hence the decision to go for Vectran which was also a tight fit, although the slippery finish and stability is good for easy furling.