My boat is 31 years old. The roller furling is giving me problems. It unfurls almost all the way, but we have to help it finish up. It won't furl by pulling the line. Ideas?
Roller furling
- Thread starter RocheDen
- Start date
Furlers are pretty simple.
They can either be serviced /repaired easily or they are past it.
Your boat is 31 years old, but how old is the furler?
Also what make an model is it?
There are plenty of manuals on the net.
Re:
The roller furling is giving me problems. It unfurls almost all the way, but we have to help it finish up. It won't furl by pulling the line. Ideas?
Again any advice will depend on make and model.
Generally, a furler will have a lower bearing in the drum and an upper bearing in the swivel.
This is probably where you problem lies.
Other causes are forestay too loose or top swivel catching on something up the top like a spinnaker halyard.
If the foil has a bend or kink it can cause trouble.
Chase up a manual and see what it has to say.
Gary
ary
They can either be serviced /repaired easily or they are past it.
Your boat is 31 years old, but how old is the furler?
Also what make an model is it?
There are plenty of manuals on the net.
Re:
The roller furling is giving me problems. It unfurls almost all the way, but we have to help it finish up. It won't furl by pulling the line. Ideas?
Again any advice will depend on make and model.
Generally, a furler will have a lower bearing in the drum and an upper bearing in the swivel.
This is probably where you problem lies.
Other causes are forestay too loose or top swivel catching on something up the top like a spinnaker halyard.
If the foil has a bend or kink it can cause trouble.
Chase up a manual and see what it has to say.
Gary
ary
Welcome to the forum!!
Initial thoughts are to lube the furler top swivel and drum per the manual, check to confirm no missing fasteners holding the lower furling drum in place (that happened me once) and check to see if there too many wraps on the drum, resulting in the furling line wrapping on itself. The latter can be resolved by furling the jib with slight tension on the windward sheet. What furler manufacturer and model do you have and do you have the manual?
Initial thoughts are to lube the furler top swivel and drum per the manual, check to confirm no missing fasteners holding the lower furling drum in place (that happened me once) and check to see if there too many wraps on the drum, resulting in the furling line wrapping on itself. The latter can be resolved by furling the jib with slight tension on the windward sheet. What furler manufacturer and model do you have and do you have the manual?
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Depending on the unit, it may need to be rinsed, or lubricated. See if you can find what type it is, and find the manual….or post photos here and we can help ID it for you.
Many don’t have ball bearings, and just need to be rinsed with fresh water to remove grit and junk. Others have bearings and may need to be lubricated.
also,as mentioned, make sure the top swivel is clean and rotates freely.
Lastly, my furling line was old, stiff and would not wrap into the drum nicely, and the line would stack up and jam in the drum. I replaced the lone this spring, and lubricated my drum bearing a bit, and it is like a new furler.
Good luck,
Greg
Many don’t have ball bearings, and just need to be rinsed with fresh water to remove grit and junk. Others have bearings and may need to be lubricated.
also,as mentioned, make sure the top swivel is clean and rotates freely.
Lastly, my furling line was old, stiff and would not wrap into the drum nicely, and the line would stack up and jam in the drum. I replaced the lone this spring, and lubricated my drum bearing a bit, and it is like a new furler.
Good luck,
Greg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,386
Welcome @RocheDen to the SBO Forum
Furlers are out in the open where salt spray and dirt can get into the drum creating friction making it difficult to turn. For starters a kind of universal trick, squirt some dawn liquid dish detergent into and around the furler drum. It will help to breakdown dirt. Then take a hose and give the drum a good soak. Turn the drum and flush what ever is in there out.
Letting in on the name brand name of your furler can help us help you.
Furlers are out in the open where salt spray and dirt can get into the drum creating friction making it difficult to turn. For starters a kind of universal trick, squirt some dawn liquid dish detergent into and around the furler drum. It will help to breakdown dirt. Then take a hose and give the drum a good soak. Turn the drum and flush what ever is in there out.
Letting in on the name brand name of your furler can help us help you.
The furler is as old as the boat (31 yrs). It's a CDI flexible furler. The marina just told me the piece that prevents the whole drum from swiveling is broken...I wonder if that's the only thing. (He says it will cost me about $300. for the fix.) I wonder if that is something I can fix myself...
Heck yeah!
Contact CDI for an anti-rotation strap. It's that thing with the screws going into the bottom of the drum.
Great find justsomeguy!!.........it can be purchased here: Anti-Rotation Strap CDI FF4/FF6 (catalinadirect.com)
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,386
Great solution if that is the piece that is broken... I guess it is time for an inspection of the furler drum...
No more guessing needed.
I love inspections. Taking things apart then wondering if you can put it back together..
Be sure to run a halyard form the mast to the bow to take up the strain as you try to disconnect the furler from the boat. Also this would be a good time to ease the back stay... That way you can release the furler/forestay... to inspect and work on it.
No more guessing needed.
I love inspections. Taking things apart then wondering if you can put it back together..
Be sure to run a halyard form the mast to the bow to take up the strain as you try to disconnect the furler from the boat. Also this would be a good time to ease the back stay... That way you can release the furler/forestay... to inspect and work on it.
@Crazy Dave Condon
thank you!
btw - the rotation clip is changed, but still not working well.
will try changing the line - i think the one on it is too big...
can't tell if i have bearings...i'll look more next time i go to the boat
thank you!
btw - the rotation clip is changed, but still not working well.
will try changing the line - i think the one on it is too big...
can't tell if i have bearings...i'll look more next time i go to the boat
Take a picture or two and send them. I also want to see how the line exits the furling drum. Include telephone and location with appropriate times to call
Dav
Dav