Jib Furler Failure

[heritage]

I have a 1984 North Sails furler that l am told is a relabled Harken Unit #1 Furler. Yesterday while unfurling the jib in light winds, the upper swivel separated into two pieces. The upper piece stayed up at the top of the mast with the halyard and the lower piece was pulled to the deck with the top of the sail. Plastic bearings fell on the deck and in the water.

I contacted a rigger to check it out this weekend and wondering if any of you have had a similar experience. I had the jib off the furler for Ophelia and had just replaced it two days ago. I may have over tensioned the halyard putting more strain on the swivel??

 

[justsomeguy]

Yesterday

It's happened before. Don't know if you've seen this one;

Harken Jib Furler Failure

Hello, I just acquired a sailboat with a Harken Jib Furler, model 1-1841 (~ 1984 model). After 3 uses in moderate wind this season, the halyard swivel came apart, dropping many of its Torlon bearings. The previous owner said it had happened before and he replaced the bearings, reassembled the...

www.sailnet.com

 

[kloudie1]

The balls can be purchased... They don't float!

https://www.sailrite.com/Harken-177-Ball-Bearings-1-4-Torlon-Pk21?gclid=CjwKCAjwyNSoBhA9EiwA5aYlb_GOSi2hIg0oRmgV_hbPisRrLUMYQRM8NrLCB8PfR2YLGRHk_-9hUxoCA3YQAvD_Bw

 

[heritage]

Thanks Justsomeguy. That discussion about how the upper swivel is secured as a unit was revealing. I will never again use the winch to tighten the furler jib halyard. And thanks Kloudie1 for the link to buy bearings.

 

[Sailfanatic]

Using your halyard winch to tension the jib halyard is a common and necessary step - why would you not do so? A jib furler swivel is designed to handle the tension.
Lack of tension results in jib excess draft, bad drat location, leading to excess heeling and poor pointing.

 

[heritage]

I will sacrifice sail shape for the piece of mind of keeping my sail out of the water.