Darn Roller Furling Bearings
This spring when bending on the genny, an object from way high up fell to the deck - though it didn't go plunk. Since the sail furled without a problem thought we would deal with the problem, if we had one. We were pretty sure there would be one but it furled so easily. Over Memorial day went out sailing and unfurled the genny. When our boat speed diminished to less than a knot figured we'd fire up the aux. In trying to roll up the genny, we discovered it couldn't be done. She took 3 turns and that was it. Finally got everything settled and the headsail unbent. Since I kept the part that had fallen from aloft we went to our anchorage and I was sent aloft. It was either me or my wife and she's not partial to heights. I went aloft and found that of the 2 parts we should have had, one in my hand and the other at the masthead, I only had the one in my hand. Curses! Nice view but it meant that if we were going to use a headsail we'd have to unbend it once we were done sailing. I ordered the parts and went back aloft this past weekend. Turns out, there's improper spacing between the swage and the top of the furling system. So, now I have to go up again and cut off an inch from the top of the furling system. So, though we hired out the stepping of the mast initially, it wasn't done properly. If it had been, I wouldn't have been going aloft. Since this is the case, it doesn't seem as though it would be a prudent expense when next weekend should be the last time I go aloft (for a while and in relation to this problem). I keep thinking that at some point a person may be forced to go aloft in a storm to be able to free a sail or something equally crucial in 30 knots. The more practice the better so that if it should happen, I could do it in the dark with only the occasional flashes of lightening while swooping through the air. My masthead is 60' above the waterline and the tallest in the marina. A crowd never fails to watch the event! Troy
This spring when bending on the genny, an object from way high up fell to the deck - though it didn't go plunk. Since the sail furled without a problem thought we would deal with the problem, if we had one. We were pretty sure there would be one but it furled so easily. Over Memorial day went out sailing and unfurled the genny. When our boat speed diminished to less than a knot figured we'd fire up the aux. In trying to roll up the genny, we discovered it couldn't be done. She took 3 turns and that was it. Finally got everything settled and the headsail unbent. Since I kept the part that had fallen from aloft we went to our anchorage and I was sent aloft. It was either me or my wife and she's not partial to heights. I went aloft and found that of the 2 parts we should have had, one in my hand and the other at the masthead, I only had the one in my hand. Curses! Nice view but it meant that if we were going to use a headsail we'd have to unbend it once we were done sailing. I ordered the parts and went back aloft this past weekend. Turns out, there's improper spacing between the swage and the top of the furling system. So, now I have to go up again and cut off an inch from the top of the furling system. So, though we hired out the stepping of the mast initially, it wasn't done properly. If it had been, I wouldn't have been going aloft. Since this is the case, it doesn't seem as though it would be a prudent expense when next weekend should be the last time I go aloft (for a while and in relation to this problem). I keep thinking that at some point a person may be forced to go aloft in a storm to be able to free a sail or something equally crucial in 30 knots. The more practice the better so that if it should happen, I could do it in the dark with only the occasional flashes of lightening while swooping through the air. My masthead is 60' above the waterline and the tallest in the marina. A crowd never fails to watch the event! Troy
