Stream Stay 2 headsail furler (jams at the top)

[Captain Jim]

I have a 1987 Hunter 31' Legend that had a Stream Stay 2 headsail furler when I purchased the boat 2nd hand. I have recently had a problem with the sail jamming at the top of the mast when trying to unfurl or furl the jib. This does not happen every time. Most often it happen at the worst possible time, like at the start of a race or when I really need to reduce sail. I have tried to contact Stream Stay at the address printed on the furling system and have called the phone number shown also. Neither seems to work. Can anyone help me in contacting this manufacturer or do you have any suggestions for solving the problem. Thanks

 

[Frank Walker]

Long Gone

Jim,The Stream Stay people are no longer in business. There is a company that is supposed to be making replacement parts but they were almost as much as bying a new system. I have a Stream Stay II system on my Hunter 30. It is not the smoothest system around and the top swivel is the biggest problem. I do pretty well by taking the top swivel apart and cleaning all the bearing surfaces and coating the torolon balls and mating surfaces with Harken's dry film lubricant. Then a couple of times a year I drop the jib and spray the Harken lube in the top of the swivel. Complete dissambly and cleaning every 3 or 4 years. The bottom unit works pretty well if the drum flanges don't bind on the bow area. Keeping minimum tension on the jib halyard while furling/unfurling also helps. The only thing to wear is the torolon bearings and if replacement is needed they are just standard 3/8" balls as I recall. You could get those from Harken or any other manufacturer that used that size balls. I think there are a little over 100 in both units. Give it a little TLC and it can give satisfactory results, otherwise get out the check book.Frank

 

[Ed Schenck]

Source for Hyde parts.

I think that you can still get parts from Rig-Rite. I know they have them for my Hyde Streamstay I furler. Probably just need a bearing race or two. Then keep them lubed. See the "Related Link", then select "Furling Systems". Here's the site just in case: http://www.rigrite.com/

 

[fred miller]

May Be No Big Deal To Remedy

Jim;I had a similar problem with my Hood System on my 35.5 Legend. As it turned out, the jib halyard was too tight and created a binding problem on the swivel piece. Try moving the halyard down a 1/2 inch at a time. You might find like I did a "sweet spot" Now it works great and never jams. Be careful it is not too loose as it will wrap around the foil.Fred Miller s/v M Squared