New Furler

Simon Sexton

Simon Sexton

.
Nov 1, 2017
635
Hunter 28.5 Galveston
Hey Y’all,

Good morning! It’s been a while since I’ve posted here on SBO, as things have gotten rather busy on my end. Working two jobs, going to college, and earning my 100 ton license keeps me on my toes for sure. When I’m not doing those things, I’m at the marina working on or sailing Valiant. On Sunday, I decided to jump in the Rum Race on Galveston Bay, just for the hell of it. I did okay, but the wind eventually picked up too high, and I needed to furl the genoa so I wasn’t overpowered. Tried every trick in the book, jammed. It wasn’t a good feeling having to drop out of the race. I was luckily able to sail back to the slip, where I tried to lubricate the lower drum and get it to work smoothly. Didn’t work. I have yet to actually pull it off the forestay and take it apart, but I really think it’s time to replace the old POS Schaeffer that the PO rigged up in ‘93. Suggestions?
 
Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

.
Oct 19, 2017
7,996
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
Hey Simon,
Good to read your posts again. Bummer about the race and about the furler. I don't know anything about make model brand stuff. There are some interesting YouTube videos about building your own furler. There may be some about taking them apart and repair.

They aren't complicated pieces of machinery.

Exciting news about your captain's license. Hope school is going well for you.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
NYSail

NYSail

.
Jan 6, 2006
3,146
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Schaeffer furlers are typically robust reliable units........ do you flush the drum with fresh water after sailing? I would get a manual and see what’s jamming...... take it apart. These things are not complicated.

Good luck!
 
DougM

DougM

.
Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
You sound like a workaholic. In moderation, a good trait.
If you need to replace your furler and have the finances, I would suggest either Profurl or Harken. I have had both and they have been trouble free.
Since you are on the Texas coast, you may be able to find one from a storm damaged boat reasonably priced and be able to salvage the swivels, drum, etc and find enough straight luff track to repurpose.
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
13,071
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The Schaeffer furlers are robust and do not need lubrication, they do need to have the lower drum and upper swivel flushed periodically to remove salt and grit. There is a flushing hole on the drum. The manuals are also available on the Schaeffer website.

Recently there was another thread about an uncooperative furler. There are some good suggestions there.

Common issues with jammed furlers include:
  • inadequate backstay tension, this causes a sag in the headstay which makes it difficult to initiate furling
  • unfurling too quickly, the causes the furling line to get over wraps and be wound too loosely
  • incorrect angle of the first lead block, the line should enter the drum at 90°
  • worn or old lead blocks which cause too much friction in the furling line
  • too much wind pressure on the sail when furling
  • too much resistance on the sheet when furling
  • furling line wrapped around something like a cleat
  • furling line run through a ratchet block backwards
  • old stiff furling line
Try working with some of these ideas first before you spend a lot of money on a new furler.
 
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Likes: Project_Mayhem, DrJudyB and Will Gilmore
C

Calif. Ted

.
Jun 8, 2004
2,960
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Early model 2100 Schaeffers did not have a flushing hole on the lower drum, I had to replace mine at about 10 years of age. At that time if you called Schaeffer and explained the problem they would give you $100 off so it was about $350. Recently had to replace the upper swivel, usually $450, but they offered me a display model for $350. My friend the rigger used to recommend Schaeffer but has switched to Harken because of these problems. He says it's the bearing races themselves develop corrosion that can't be repaired short of replacement due to the exposed nature of the bearings. The "new" lower drum with flush hole is doing well after 10 years useage.
 
jmce1587

jmce1587

.
Mar 20, 2011
623
Hunter 31_83-87 New Orleans
Hi Simon. Good to hear from you and glad all is well. For used RFs check out the links below. Had good luck when I replaced my RF. First one is in Kemah

Jerry

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FastOlson

FastOlson

.
Apr 8, 2010
2,143
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
The old furler may simply be at the less-reliable end point of its design life.
When our '94 Harken Mk2 seized up on us on a windy day last year we replaced it with a new Harken Mk4.
Good product, again working 'like new' and I rather hope that I am around to replace it again in another 20+ years.... !
:)
 
NYSail

NYSail

.
Jan 6, 2006
3,146
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
My Schaffer unit i bought new around 2010 did not have metal bearings. Smooth and great unit. Would put another one on in a second. new boat has profurl and so far all good. Flush it every time I get back from sailing.
 
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