my roller furling has become stiff and I don't know the proper lubrication to maintain it. Is there a way to loosen it up or is it wearing out?
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Most often difficulty furling is due to
halyard tension, try re-tensioning at the dock on a calm day. The bearings in the drum are usually of a material with a built in lube which only require flushing with fresh water, but can often be lubed using a dry lube like Sail-Kote. A dry lube can also be used on the swivel at the top.
halyard tension, try re-tensioning at the dock on a calm day. The bearings in the drum are usually of a material with a built in lube which only require flushing with fresh water, but can often be lubed using a dry lube like Sail-Kote. A dry lube can also be used on the swivel at the top.
Difficult furler
Depending on what you mean as "stiff" Furling ease depends upon several factors. How the furling line is run. Are all blocks running smooth? Are the line angles as straight as possible? Is the line itself OK? Not frayed or kinked. A clean furler helps with no oil based lubricant used. To clean, use some dish detergent (bio degradable & phosphate free - lest all start sailing on clean water -every little bit helps!) on the bearng and flush with fresh water. Repeat if necessary. When dry lub only with a dry lub such as SailKote. Sand and dirt will stick to a wet lubricant. If the furler is very to near impossible to furl in check for halyard wrap. Use a pair of binoculars to view the halyard at the top where it exits the masthead sheeve. If the halyard was loose it will cross or wrap around the headstay causing friction. That friction in time will fray the halyard or break it. To solve the problem, lower the headsail. You may have to pull on the sail and loosen the halyard to get it down if it is wrapped. Disconnect the halyard from the sail. While it is down use some SailKote of other dry lub in the furler track. Unwrap the halyard from the headstay. Raise the sail keeping slight tension on the sail as you raise it being careful not to have the sail twist the halyard and again wrap around the headstay. When it is completely raised make sre it is always tight other wise when the sail blows around it can again wrap the halyard around the head stay. I've had the same problem many years ago, since learning this I've never had a problem again. Good luck! SH
Depending on what you mean as "stiff" Furling ease depends upon several factors. How the furling line is run. Are all blocks running smooth? Are the line angles as straight as possible? Is the line itself OK? Not frayed or kinked. A clean furler helps with no oil based lubricant used. To clean, use some dish detergent (bio degradable & phosphate free - lest all start sailing on clean water -every little bit helps!) on the bearng and flush with fresh water. Repeat if necessary. When dry lub only with a dry lub such as SailKote. Sand and dirt will stick to a wet lubricant. If the furler is very to near impossible to furl in check for halyard wrap. Use a pair of binoculars to view the halyard at the top where it exits the masthead sheeve. If the halyard was loose it will cross or wrap around the headstay causing friction. That friction in time will fray the halyard or break it. To solve the problem, lower the headsail. You may have to pull on the sail and loosen the halyard to get it down if it is wrapped. Disconnect the halyard from the sail. While it is down use some SailKote of other dry lub in the furler track. Unwrap the halyard from the headstay. Raise the sail keeping slight tension on the sail as you raise it being careful not to have the sail twist the halyard and again wrap around the headstay. When it is completely raised make sre it is always tight other wise when the sail blows around it can again wrap the halyard around the head stay. I've had the same problem many years ago, since learning this I've never had a problem again. Good luck! SH
appreciation for furling suggestions
thanks for the suggestions I'll try those and see if they help. bob
thanks for the suggestions I'll try those and see if they help. bob
Another furling questions
I recently ran into a problem with my furling drum... it was cheap and a piece broke off, which leaves an edge that catches the line when raising the sail. Now while looking for a new drum I have found that I may have to purchase a whole new headsail furling system. Is this a correct assumption, or is there a way that I can purchase only the drum and replace the one that has broken? I would prefer not to use another plastic one, but if that is the only way to avoid spending 1k or more to replace 1 part, I may have to. Thank you in advance for any advice.
I recently ran into a problem with my furling drum... it was cheap and a piece broke off, which leaves an edge that catches the line when raising the sail. Now while looking for a new drum I have found that I may have to purchase a whole new headsail furling system. Is this a correct assumption, or is there a way that I can purchase only the drum and replace the one that has broken? I would prefer not to use another plastic one, but if that is the only way to avoid spending 1k or more to replace 1 part, I may have to. Thank you in advance for any advice.
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