FURLER HALYARD SWIVEL FROZEN

[jerry10848]

Several years ago I replaced the bearings in the drum of my Hood Seafurl 810LD. Now the halyard swivel is frozen. Has anyone dealt with this problem? I'm wondering if I should attempt to replace the bearings or just buy a new swivel. The manual diagram shows four sets of bearings and looks pretty complicated. Plus, it appears to be a sealed unit as there are no screws holding it together.
Also, the research I've done on this site indicates that, to replace the swivel, you have to go up the mast and remove the halyard at the TOP. Couldn't I just unhook the halyard at the bottom, remove the furler drum and slide the swivel down and off the foil?

 

[MitchM]

i think you should get the install diagrams for your system from hood.. most roller furlers have the masthead swivel housing toggled to a fixed tang or support piece at the top of the mast . there are internal mechanisms usually with bearings in this masthead piece. this mast head swivel's housing mechanism mates to the furler track and allows the furler track to rotate as the jib changes direction. if this is the frozen piece you'll need to get up the mast to inspect it and see why things don't swivel any more. . the masthead swivel assembly on the hoods receives the furler track, which track must be able to swivel as you jib changes direction. some of those masthead swivel assemblys need routine internal lubrication of the bearings even in fresh water . properly working, the masthead swivel internal mechanism allows the furler track to swivel . a different part does move up and down the furler track. this moving part is attached to the jib halyard at the top of the mast. when you release the jib halyard this part should move down the furler track to the bottom, where you could in fact access it. this moving part is where you attach the head of the jib to then move it up the furler track for sailing. it sounds to me like your problem is in the top mast head swivel assembly, which may have sealed bearings. I'd check with hood... since this part supports the furler track, you will need some help to get the replacement installed.

 

[jerry10848]

I attached a pic of the part (though from a different model furler) I'm referring to. The jib halyard attaches to the top shackle, and the bottom shackle attaches to the top (head cringle) of the jib sail. The top stays stationary, while the bottom rotates with the furler drum to furl the sail. Problem is, it's frozen and doesn't rotate. I'm hoping to find someone who has replaced the bearings in it for some guidance.

 

[Terry Cox]

The upper swivel on our Hood LD unit slides down with the head sail when it is removed from the slot. Of course I first have to roll the sail out before I can slide it down and I suppose that is part of your problem, unable to roll the sail out. I suppose you could unroll it by hand before attempting to slide the swivel down, which it should whether frozen or not. I've never had a need to replace the bearings so no help here.

 

[John Nantz]

Several years ago I replaced the bearings in the drum of my Hood Seafurl 810LD. Now the halyard swivel is frozen. Has anyone dealt with this problem? I'm wondering if I should attempt to replace the bearings or just buy a new swivel.

Didn't have that exact problem but did note that the swivel didn't swivel as easily as when it was new. My solution was to just replace it. Since then, in the off-season when I take the sails off the boat I cover the swivel to keep any UV off the plastic and keep airborne dirt off.

Also, the research I've done on this site indicates that, to replace the swivel, you have to go up the mast and remove the halyard at the TOP. Couldn't I just unhook the halyard at the bottom, remove the furler drum and slide the swivel down and off the foil?

The jib halyard should be attached to the top shackle on the swivel. With the jib unfurled, drop the jib and it will bring down the swivel to which the head of the jib is attached.

If the jib can't be unfurled in the normal manner then suggest doing as Terry said, unfurl it by hand on the deck and then drop it.

If the jib can't be dropped due to a problem at the swivel then it looks like a trip up the mast is in order, but hopefully that won't be necessary.