Schaefer Jib Furler - Expert Advice (not)

[Albanach]

Has anyone else had a problem with chafe to their genoa from the furler? If so, how was it resolved? The following (hopefully not too longwinded) excerpts from correspondence with Schaefer might be of general interest:

Request for advice to Schaefer:
"Whilst the furling mechanism of the furler works well, I have discovered that the genoa has developed 2 chafing spots. These correspond with the location of the 2 cap screws in the sail feeder.
Even though the screws are tightened, their edges do protrude slightly and seem to rub on the sail when furled.
I am surprised to encounter such gross design fault."

Schaefer response:
" A picture would be helpful.
The Allen heads holding the feeder in place are double threaded and recessed in the feeder.
Is it possible that the luff tape is too short as the luff tape should be about five inches lower (below) that the feeder.
I can see the luff tape wearing if the tape was above the feeder.
I assume you have a maintence manual as you may be ready to inspect the headstay and the headstay turnbuckle and flush the bearing unit of salt."

Response to Schaefer:
"Many thanks for your prompt response.
Attached are some pictures that may make the issue clearer:
- Picture 'Sailfeeder 2' shows clearly that the screws are not recessed
sufficiently enough, even though they are tight and the halves of the
sailfeeder are tightly pressed together.
The picture also shows (underneath the tempory sailpatch) the developing
holes from the chafe.

- Picture 'Sailfeeder 3' shows that the sailfeeder/foils are installed
according to the manual.
I think that the pictures demonstrate that part of the screws with their
ribbed heads protrude enough to cause serious chafe. Do these appear to be
standard screws? The heads seem to be to big for the aperture.

The turnbuckle and bearings will be serviced at the annual outhaul as the
boat is on a swing mooring and access to these parts is relatively
complicated. However, I can't see how these items contribute to the chafe."

Schaefer response:
"I guess I might wipe the head of the fasteners with silicon acting as an
anti-chafe guard.
Your installation looks good and the feeder and fasteners are as designed.
We have improved our installation manual and is worth downloading with great
hints and tips."

Response to Schaefer:
"Thanks for your advice. However, I do not think that a silicone application
is a permanent answer. It will be worn off in no time. The only real
solution would be to file the existing screws' heads off (which could
possibly result in further unforeseen edges and rust) or preferably in
properly fitting screws. If the latter are available, could I order them?
Otherwise I shall have to continue to use sacrificial sailtape - which is
certainly not a satisfactory outcome."

End of story

 

[Clark]

Kinda odd that the fitting is of a larger diameter than the foil which would put greater stress on the cloth at that point. The silicon recommendation was bs; it appears as though the only solution is to use different screws (a round head might work), file that part of the screw head fair and/or put some duct tape on it ;-)

 

[dennism]

You could exchange those screws for the same except for a button head, which would be quite safe in the recess.

 

[rpwillia]

Got the same problem

I just put a piece of sail repair tape over the spot to protect the original sail cloth. Next time in the sail loft I will have them add a patch over it. It is not worn through just marked up from that big round fitting.

 

[OldCat]

Try a Low Head

A button head might or might not work - generally the screw head diameter dimension is larger. There is also a screw called a low head cap screw - these generally have the same head diameter as the standard cap screw in your picture, but less head height. This may well solve your problem, though the head is not as strong as the standard head. Is it highly stressed?

Here is a link for metric screw dimensions: http://www.metricsunlimited.com/products.html . If I remember correctly, inch screws share similar screw head proportions - you might try a search on "inch screw head dimensions" or similar.

Best o' Luck,
OC

 

[kenn]

If the cap-screws can't be easily replaced or filed enough, I would be tempted to file their protruding edge off, then fill the screw "pocket" with some epoxy and sand that flush.

Maybe even some tape over the screw-pocket would suffice.

 

[Rick Sylvester]

I put a Schaefer on our last boat

and was very happy with it.

12 years later and Schaefer has gotten very expensive. I'm a fan of open race stainless steel bearings. Unfortunately, Reckmann has been the only manufacturer I know of to do that and they're twice as expensive as Schaefer. Schaefer uses open races but have Torlon bearings. Nothing wrong with Torlon but I prefer stainless.

A manufacturer for Hood was on our dock with one of his new furlers. They use stainless open bearings but put a Torlon bearing between each stainless to reduce friction while the major loads ride on the stainless. I thought it was a clever idea and when I found out they were a third as expensive as Schaefer I jumped on it. They're assembled locally (Tampa) and are beautifully turned out. They even have a high density plastic insert that fits inside the full length of the foils so that the aluminum doesn't ride on the headstay.

I'll let you know how it works out.

To the point of this post, Hood apparently sources the feeder casting to the same shop as Schaefer as you can see that the allen head sits just proud of the feeder body. I don't know if it'll become an issue yet as I'm now saving my pennies for the sails.