Hunter 280 Furlex Type A and Forestay tension

[Cor280]

On my 1996 Hunter 280 I have a Furlex furler. I would like to tune the rig but I don't see how to adjust the forestay tension when changing the Rake in the mast. I believe I have the Type A Furlex based on the manual which I read and still didn't see a way to adjust it. Does anyone know how to do this?

 

[Clark]

Furlex

IIRC, there is a bronze screw and nut below the drum for length (mast rake) adjustment. With the uppers sorta loose, make that adjustment for proper rake then tighten the uppers and lowers to your liking (make sure you have plenty of thread in the turnbuckle)(I use 10-15% not 20% of wire breaking strength). I hope you can make out the 'silvery' barrel below the drum in this pic:

 

[Cor280]

Clark your saying that you can turn that nut and it adjusts the Forestay length without have to take anything apart? Does the whole silver barrel turn?

IIRC, there is a bronze screw and nut below the drum for length (mast rake) adjustment. With the uppers sorta loose, make that adjustment for proper rake then tighten the uppers and lowers to your liking (make sure you have plenty of thread in the turnbuckle)(I use 10-15% not 20% of wire breaking strength). I hope you can make out the 'silvery' barrel below the drum in this pic:

 

[Clark]

Clark your saying that you can turn that nut and it adjusts the Forestay length without have to take anything apart? Does the whole silver barrel turn?

Yes, the nut turns. It is not a normal turnbuckle, IIRC the nut is retained by the barrel but is allowed to turn and take up or let out the forestay. The barrel does not turn. I think there is a pin that is visible through a slot in the barrel to show how far you're moving it. I am going by memory; it has been >3 years or so since I adjusted mine. We'd normally be at the lake this weekend but it is supposed to be 105* + and that is just too hot for us. If you can wait a few more days, we'll be at the boat around the 4th and I can fully confirm what turns . . . .