Furlex Roller Reefing

[Dave_Rolfe]

I have a Furlex 100s roller reefing gear fitted on my boat which has become a bit stiff over the last season. I am going to flush out the bottom and top bearings with warm soapy water and then want to lubricate it again.

I know that Furlex produce a grease in a tube for this purpose but I suspect it will cost an arm and a leg. Can you suggest any alternatives to use that I may have lying about or is it a false economy and I should bite the bullet and get the real thing. Anyone had experiences of alternatives good or bad?

 

[aluijten]

I've used the grease that is sold for lubricating bike-gears (the race-bike type of gears) with great success. It is designed to not attract dirt and still gives good lubrication.
I've used it on my Furlex 200 series.

Arno

 

[Robin]

I don't use grease at all but wash the system via the grease holes every time we use a hose for fresh water. At the start of each season I usually spray some Teflon lubricating stuff in which I bought from our local bearings supplier, it cost about £10 per can but lasts forever. I don't like the idea of grease that could trap salt crystals in it and our Furlex system works well with a near 600sqft genoa pulled in easily by hand always in all winds.

 

[PaulR]

do you know the maker and product name of the teflon lubricant you use as we have been using the furlex grease and would love ours to run easier - we have taken to slackening halyard tension which does make it much easier but be good to make it easier without slackening halyard too

 

[spinny]

As PaulR said. Slacken off the halyard slightly first. This may be your only problem. Genoa halyards that are over tensioned can mis-align the smooth running of the bearings, causing a lot of friction when setting or furling your sail.

 

[Robin]

Sorry I can't remember the name as I bought our can about 8 years ago. I bought it from Ashley Bearings in Ashley Road Poole who could probably help. Don't use WD40 or similar as it is NOT suitable.

As for halyard tension, I set our normal position as just taut enough to remove any creases from the luff under sail in full out position, then fine tuned under way first opportunity to get the best shape as seen on the trim stripes. There is little point in tensioning too much as with the first roll in place that tension is gone and in light winds the shape will be dreadful. I don't let off tension before reefing or furling and I expect to do it without any need for a winch, even with a big sail in strong winds.

 

[Dave_Rolfe]

Thanks everyone. From a colleague at work I have been tolfd the lubricant used is probably one called GT85 which is obtained in aerosol form. He reckons it is probably obtainable from Halfords or any good bike shop.

Thanks for your help once again.