Jib furler works hard

[som1335]

I have a 2008 Hunter 33 bought new last year. Jib furler is a Furlex and worked fine last year and at the start of this year. No it is woreking hard both in and out. If I turn the furler by hand it feels free and smooth, but when i unroll the jib or try to roll it back in it is difficult even when using a winch. I should not have to use a winch at all, and the wind doesn't even unroll the jib. But, again if I go up to the bow it works easily by hand turning.

Any sage advice? By the way as usual Hunter is useless, the won't return my calls and won't answer the phone. The furler did not come with a manual and I have been unable to find helpful info on the net.

Ron2324, please do not reply, I'm not interested in your crude and rude remarks.
Mike

 

[duality]

if it works easy by hand it must be in the furling line blocks. make sure the one closest to the drum is at 90 degrees to the drum. my block is half way up the pulpit and works pretty well. good luck.

mike

 

[som1335]

if it works easy by hand it must be in the furling line blocks. make sure the one closest to the drum is at 90 degrees to the drum. my block is half way up the pulpit and works pretty well. good luck.

mike

thanks, I forgot to mention that I checked the running gear and all looks good, but per your suggestion maybe the near pulley has slid down the stanchion and is no longer parralell and 90 degrees to the drum. Now that you bring this point up I do remember the furling line not laying evenly in the drum. Your suggestion would then make even more sense as the line could jamb on itself. I'll look closer tomorrow.
Mike

 

[Warren Milberg]

You should be able to read and/or download just about every Selden/Furlex product online at: http://www.seldenmast.com/frameset.cfm?id=6618&randnum=698630950. You can also contact Selden/Furlex online at that site. I am not surprised that Hunter is no help as they didn't make your Furlex nor probably know much about it. I'm not sure what model you have, but I have Furlex 200 on my boat. This model has a somewhat complicated lubrication process for the lowest ring of bearings -- and the one many owners don't bother with. It requires removing the two halves around the drum, and dropping the line guide -- all of which is explained and pictured in the manual. My suggestiion is start with lubing all the bearings in the upper and lower units and especially the lowest set of bearings and see if this makes any difference.

FYI, I initially had some problems with my furlier similar you what you report. On my boat the furling line fairleads are attached to the base of the stanchions. I found I needed to add yet another block immediately aft of the drum which I attached to the toe rail with a shackle. This block improved the angle of the line as it enters/exits the drum and eliminated some furler line jam problems I was having. I found it also helps to keep a bit of tension on the furling line when unfurling the sail in order to get cleaner wraps on the drum.

 

[som1335]

case solved

Thanks to all, it was indeed a poor angle to the drum which caused the line to wind totally at the top of the drum. A little alignment is all it took!

Thanks again.
Mike