I have a 2003 Rhodes with IMF.  A few years ago I removed my mainsail so I could send it to SailCare for repair.  As Peter suggested, you must unstep the mast and remove the internal components in order to remove the sail.  The aluminum furling tube is slid into a sewn pocket on the luff of the sail.  The sail is attached to the tube at the head and the tack.  There are also 2 plastic donuts that are attached to the tube with screws.
I suggest that you take photos as you disassemble, so that you can reassemble after the repair.  Among other things, ensure that the sail is rolled the correct direction.
I hope that this helps.
Don Simons,  Old Forge, NY
    On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 06:32:32 PM EDT, Michael D. Weisner <mweisner at ebsmed.com> wrote:

 Thomas,

I am very sure that cutting an entrance slot and fitting a halyard on a rotating tube is significantly more effort than lowering the mast for the annual service. The IMF sail furling mechanism is prone to failures without such complications. Stan's design is relatively foolproof and simple to troubleshoot when it does jam.

Mike
s/v Wind Lass ('91)
Nissequogue River, NY
I’d rather be sailing :~)

-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of THOMAS POLISE via Rhodes22-list
Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 5:01 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] removing mainsl - need advice please

We need to figure out a way to remove mainsail without lowering mast.I like ti remove and fold sails in winter.  I’m thinking we use a halyard to raise in groove and cut an exit/entrance slot above boom.  Has anyone tried this?

> On Aug 3, 2023, at 4:23 PM, Peter Nyberg <peter at sunnybeeches.com> wrote:
> 
> Hank,
> 
> I've never actually detached my mainsail from the roller tube, but once you get things disassembled, I think that should only require removing a couple of screws.
> 
> If your mast is currently up, you'll need to take it down and off the 
> boat.  The whole mainsail and furler assembly is then slid out of the 
> mast through the bottom.  I made a YouTube video about replacing the 
> mainsail furling line that may help get you started: 
> https://youtu.be/MH7hYJnoNpM
> 
> You'll want to be careful not to bend or kink the tube the sail wraps around.
> 
> HTH,
> 
> Peter Nyberg
> Coventry, CT
> s/v Silverheels (1988/2016)
> 
>> On 2023-08-03, at 12:10:09 EDT, hankstein at aol.com wrote:
>> 
>> I have a '93  R-22 that I recently purchased and am 
>> refurbishing.   There is a small 6 inch tear in the 
>> mainsl  where the leach canvas meets the foot of the sail.I have 
>> the in-the-mast furling mainsl PLEASE can someone tell me how I can 
>> remove the mainsl to repair it ? I cannot see how to remove it.
>> Thank you for your help.
>> Hank Stein    <a
>> href="http://rhodes22.org/mailman/listinfo/rhodes22-list">hankstein 
>> at aol.com</a> Huron, Ohio
>> 
>