Furler won’t turn

Apr 16, 2019
15
Hunter 44AC Annapolis
I have a Furlex 300 that decided to stop turning (see video). Does anyone have a probable cause and solution?
 
Jun 25, 2019
27
Hunter 28 Treasure Island Marina, Kingst
I have examined the parts list of your furler on "Spare Parts List Furlex 200 S & 300 S - Seldén" site and think that the problem could be two things: 1-One or many seat(s) for the ball bearings is(are) broken, or: 2-The forestay has broken strands inside the extrusions which stops the swivel from turning at regular angle in both directions. The second option is probably most probable.
Unfortunetely, you will have to dismantle the whole unit to examine, but the good news is that you may have saved your mast from dismantling because if strands are broken,your forestay could have failed under heavy winds.
To remove the whole unit without taking down the mast, you have to tie the jib halyard tight to the front deck or balcony and then remove the entire unit. Remember: Have the mast secured good to the front before taking off the forestay with the furler, and put two halyards if you can to be double secure!
 
Dec 14, 2018
48
Ericson/ Hunter Ericson 29 / Hunter 376 Pensacola, FL
I have seen the top swivel seized and the furler would move at the bottom as the extrusion would twist. If no movement at the spool the problem must be in the lower bearings.
Still check the forestay while doing the work.
 
Sep 21, 2014
28
Hunter 426 Southport, NC
I have the exact same issue, Did you get it figured out? What was the fix?
 
Apr 8, 2011
768
Hunter 40 Deale, MD
So a tip here: If you're going to disconnect your forestay you'll likely find it impossible unless you slack off some standing rigging.
- Drop your jib and get it off the foredeck.
- Use your jib halyard and preferably another spare halyard to hold the mast upright in lieu of the forestay, and tighten them up before the next step.
- Loosen whatever standing rigging is necessary on your particular boat to release the tension on the forestay (e.g. backstay). But relieve only just enough tension to allow you to remove whatever hardware is bolted in place to keep your forestay attached. Count your turns as you slack off so you know exactly how many to put back on.
- Do whatever is necessary to fix your problem. If it has to be sent away, reconnect your forestay and retension appropriately. The halyards should just be used temporarily.

It might seem a bit harrowing, but think things through first, get someone to help (controlling the forestay and furling mechanism will be a handful), and take it slowly. I managed to pull my furler off by myself last year and send it out to be repaired, but its a lot easier with a second person.
 
Dec 1, 2020
37
Hunter 44 DS Deale, MD
So, I'm the third, or fourth, to join this thread with exactly this problem. Has anyone found a solution?

Coincidentally, SV September, the boat, not the person, of the original poster, is currently 2 docks away from mine in Deale, MD. But, I believe that it was sold to a new owner last summer (it was on my list to look at before it sold), so the new owner may not have any idea about the problem.

Anyone else?
 
Dec 1, 2020
37
Hunter 44 DS Deale, MD
OK, for anyone else who finds this thread in the future, I got mine working.

It seems that when I removed the 2 screws on the side of the Adapter on the lower swivel, that allowed the luff extrusion to slide down about 2 extra inches into the swivel while I was lubricating the various bearings. Once I pulled the extrusion back up far enough and reset those 2 screws, everything worked again.

Hope someone finds this helpful.
 
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Likes: tfox2069
Aug 16, 2021
1
Najad 380 Hamble
It seems that when I removed the 2 screws on the side of the Adapter on the lower swivel, that allowed the luff extrusion to slide down about 2 extra inches into the swivel while I was lubricating the various bearings. Once I pulled the extrusion back up far enough and reset those 2 screws, everything worked again.

Hope someone finds this helpful.
Thank you!! I had the same problem, couldn’t work out what was wrong. That fixed it.