Oday 28 Profurler issues

[IAMCCF]

Hi All,

So as the boat is new to me I decided in the off season to have a rigger go through the mast and all the gear (Furler) and his feedback was "Furler is good but you need a new halyard. He did the halyard and additional work and and then I had him step the Mast.

I noticed the furler was very stiff when I was prepping to put up the Jib.
I had a different rigger come in and tune the rig and look at the furler as well. Here is is feedback:
Problem:
Furling system will not rotate (counter-clockwise) and appears to be catching the headstay wire (1X19 S.S. wire) internally and springing back (clockwise rotation). This may be due to worn, broken and/or missing bushing/bearings in the drum or one of the lower foils (aluminum extrusions). Suspected wire damage and major safety issue.
Top cap and bearing holding on the upper foil is missing
Halyard wrapstop is lifted/rotated from its correct position
Top foil should be longer
Solution(s):
Remove headstay and furler
Lay along dock for inspection/repair or replace
Option 1:
Attempt disassembly of furler (can be difficult/problematic with older furler units due to corrosion with s.s. screws and aluminum foils) and inspect/repair damage(s)
Replace damaged headstay
Replace top foil
Option 2:
Replace furler unit with Harken MKIV Unit 0
Replace headstay
Forego costly disassembly and repair, esp if irreparable damage is present
Parts for older units can be costly, esp. the foils
Thoughts...?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[jibes138]

was the boat surveyed when you bought it? did the owner divulge any problem with it? Too much headstay sag might also cause a problem with free rotation, but if the furler is missing parts like the "top cap and bearing" sounds like replacement is in order. Another option is use it as is if the luff groove is OK and just hoist your jib and take it down each time you sail, or add hanks to the sail and remove the furling system and just hank on the jib, plus you will be able to see your headstay for damage. Adding hanks is easy, Sailrite will have the materials and tools and instructions.

 

[Joe]

If it's a ProFurl unit as you say.... you might call the customer service tech in Florida get his input. They are pretty helpful as they have a really good reputation to protect. They may be able to advise you on set up or help with parts also..

 

[jssailem]

Your second opinion about the issues with profurler units matches the info I received from my rigger. Mast was in the yard for 5 months of restoring rigging. Furler was identified as servicable. Cautioned about the sealed bearings of the profurler. Harken was suggested as a best replacement. I had the profurler put back up. When it breaks I'll bit the bullet.

Concern would be the suspected damage to the headstay. Did the first rigger do a proper job?

 

[IAMCCF]

Rigger #1 had the mast for 6 weeks and claimed he went though everything. He actually wanted to charge me for putting thing back together after his inspection. That's like charging a fee for putting the tires back on after a break inspection or the putting the dip stick after checking the oil. I think I was a small fish and he's used to Bigger boat with bigger budgets. I think he totally failed to properly inspect the furler and only the halyard that needed to be replaced. I don't have the budget to replace the furler so I am hoping rigger #2 can fix it.

 

[jssailem]

Sorry for your luck. My rigger was pricey but I believe I got a quality job. Now that the Mast is back on the boat I am anxious to get back to the boat and put up sails. Yet I know I still have to reconnect the electrics and do some work on the boom. At least I know there is light at the end of this tunnel. And it is not another train.... yet...

 

[IAMCCF]

So my new rigger figured out the problem.
As you will see in the picture the barring was jammed on to the swedge and the set screws were tightened into the barring tightening it to the swedge. As you can see the turnbuckle had barely any thread left and had I sailed off as is and unfurled my Genoa 130 It would have come out of the turnbuckle and the mast would have lost all forward support.
The repair was easy. He persuaded the Profurl Up. Got out the twisted barring. Replaced it ($30.00 part) and Voila! my Profurl was moving freely again

 

[jssailem]

Good for you. Sounds like you may have been turning the turnbuckle not just the furler.
Fair sailing.

 

[IAMCCF]

Yes.
Could have had a serious problem had it come free.

Chris