Selden inmast furler system failing

[Mahi]

Struggling with my Selden inmast furler system on my C315: After problems with unfurling the sail, I tried all remedies: tensioning the extrusions, adjusting the boom angle when furling in, greasing the bearings, re-adjusting stays and shrouds . Now I got the sail down and it will not get up anymore. The halyard swivel jams (most of the times) where the Selden Mast pieces are riveted together. I can get the swivel through that, but then it stops completely at the lower spreader point. I have adjusted the tension on the extrusions from quite loose to medium tight (the extrusions are NOT touching the walls inside the mast), but do not see any difference in the extrusion position. Has anyone experienced this problem? Does anyone know if there is only one extrusion piece inside the full mast length or are those several pieces (like the jib furlex)? If I do not get the swivel going I think i need to unstep the mast and examine the Selden system in the horizonal. After that I can continue evaluating the furling issues. Right now I am ready to abandon the entire system and re-rig the mainsail the traditional way. Any suggestions are welcome!1
Thanks.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Hard to say without being there. Gotta start somewhere so I guess #1 is : do you have the Selden manual ? Attached below :

Is the furling direction correct ?

 

[shemandr]

I've posted about my troubles with my Selden in-mast furling system. In my case in retrospect I think a new main would have helped quite a bit. Your case sounds more hardware related.
If it's time to go with a conventional system, Tides Marine makes several systems that make raising (And lowering a main) a snap. It will be an expense but ...

https://www.tidesmarine.com/pdf/sailtrack/sailtrack_catalog.pdf

These guys set up the system on a J34C I used to sail on:

Z Sails

From elite racing sails to durable cruising sails our experience and commitment to quality have earned our client’s trust for more than 40 years.

www.zsails.com

 

[Mahi]

Thanks for the replies! A rigger and Selden dealer I called explains that it is crucial for the mast to be absolute straight, no bend allowed.. I know that my C315 mast does have a bit of a rake and this afternoon I’ll try to eliminate that.

 

[shemandr]

Rake or bend? They are different.

 

[Jan_H]

It sounds like the slot in the mast is pinched at the lower spreader that is giving you grief getting the halyard swivel up past that point. The halyard swivel 'tail' that extends out through the mast slot will bind in the slot if this is pinched enough - sight up the back of the mast to see if this is the case.

 

[MFD]

Has regular maintenance, like greasing the bearings at the top of the mast, been done regularly?

 

[Mahi]

The issue is not yet resolved, but thank you all for the input! After discussing this with a rigger in town (who has absolutely no time to come to the boat) I followed his advice to re-rigg all shrouds and stays in order to get the mast absolutely straight (in column). And I made progress: The swivel now passes by the first set of spreaders without blocking or even hitting, the second point of contact further down the mast (where the two mast pieces are revitted) is not free but getting close. It is a tedious undertaking, just a tiny tightening or loosening at the turnbuckle has quite an impact aloft! I have to find a better way to judge the straightness of the mast, thinking about acquiring a laser pointer? I guess then I need to try at dawn or dusk? The halyard method to compare length port/starboard is not good enough and only gives a result for the position of the masthead.