How to remove plastimo top swivel

J

Juzz

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Can anyone help me my plastimo top swivel on my 608-S furling system has become very stiff and halyard wrap keeps occurring on my foresail. I cannot see any crews to un couple it and cannot twist it in any direction.
I want to try to re-lube it or if that doesn’t work I’ll need to replace it so really need to get it off the fore stay foil .
Please see photo of it any advice will
Be greatly appreciated .535BA665-0E1C-4AC7-9555-81CEBCF67A14.jpeg
 
It was slid on from the top before the top end cap was fitted to the spar and the whole lot fitted to the boat. Removal would be the reverse.

However the top of it unscrews ... then all the little balls escape.

You do not seem to have the special cranked shackle to attach the halyard

Here is an old thread of Refueller's that shows what can happen without the special shackle ( From the days before he called himself Refueller)

Anyone had this problem Plastimo 608 ... how did you solve it ?


EDIT Here arethe assembly instructions for the older Plastimo spars https://palby.dk/manualer/Plastimo/Rulleforstag 406-608-810 S.pdf

Here is a link to a picture belonging to Searush which shows the cranked shackle
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/sakean99/Image021-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
VicS said:
It was slid on from the top before the top end cap was fitted to the spar and the whole lot fitted to the boat. Removal would be the reverse.

However the top of it unscrews ... then all the little balls escape.

You do not seem to have the special cranked shackle to attach the halyard

Here is an old thread of Refueller's that shows what can happen without the special shackle ( From the days before he called himself Refueller)

Anyone had this problem Plastimo 608 ... how did you solve it ?


EDIT Here arethe assembly instructions for the older Plastimo spars https://palby.dk/manualer/Plastimo/Rulleforstag 406-608-810 S.pdf

Here is a link to a picture belonging to Searush which shows the cranked shackle
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/sakean99/Image021-1.jpg
Click to expand...

THANKS Vic
How can I best lubricate the existing unit and try to spin more freely ?
 
Juzz said:
THANKS Vic
How can I best lubricate the existing unit and try to spin more freely ?
Click to expand...

Hi Vic
I have just checked I do have a cranked shackle attached to the head of the Genoa sail, How can I remove it if it was slid on from when the foil was originally fitted. I hope I don’t have to drop the fore stay in order to replace a simple swivel unit. How do you lubricate it ?

Can anyone advise ????
 
I’ve just refurbished my furler: top swivel and drum bearings seized. Swivel has to come off the top of the foils. The early 608s had steel bearings, but these are cheap and easy to replace - £35 for 4 bearings. There is a very good thread on here with pics.
 
We cleaned ours this year and were advised just to wash out the top bearing with lots of soapy water and then rinse it. We were advised to definitely not use any type of oil or grease tho maybe some of that ptfe dry spray.

It now works a treat.
 
The cranked shackle goes on the swivel as shown in your picture were the knot is and is not for attaching the sail to the swivel.
 
Juzz said:
Hi Vic
I have just checked I do have a cranked shackle attached to the head of the Genoa sail, How can I remove it if it was slid on from when the foil was originally fitted. I hope I don’t have to drop the fore stay in order to replace a simple swivel unit. How do you lubricate it ?

Can anyone advise ????
Click to expand...

Now you know where the cranked shackle should be used ...... and why. There is no need for it on the head of the sail,

You cannot remove the swivel other than by detaching the spar and forestay, removing the end cap and sliding it back off the way it went on.
All you can do is wash out the bearing and, if you can unscrew the top, replace the balls , With the swivel on the spar you cannot replace the bearings with sealed ones as suggested in #5 and #6 that only becomes an option if you remove it
 
We had similar probs after the boat had been out of use for several years. The bearings were siezed top and bottom. Earlier type and steel races. Stripping and carefully cleaning and lubing got it back working. Now, a bit later the lug for the sail head broke off, so we ordered a new top swivel from Jimmy Green at an OK price. It didn't fit.. as the foil was an early type and different diameter. No chance of a spare to fit, so I completely rebuilt the existing top swivel with SS tube inside but machined the outer to retain the bearings. It was a quick fix and still fine. But not something I would reccommend or want to do again. The solution for most would be a new system. I can't remember the diameter of the foil right now, but will post it after the w/end , in case it is helpful to anybody else.
 
peteK said:
The cranked shackle goes on the swivel as shown in your picture were the knot is and is not for attaching the sail to the swivel.
Click to expand...
Hi Pete
Thanks for your advice any idea where to purchase this cranked shackle ?
Justin
 
Juzz said:
Hi Pete
Thanks for your advice any idea where to purchase this cranked shackle ?
Justin
Click to expand...
I believe they are available as Plastimo parts . Seateach in Emsworth used to be Plastimo agents and a leading source for parts but they have morphed into Ocean Chandlery and relocated to Thornham Marina ..... Might be worth giving them a call

IIRC Refueller ( previously SBC and originally Nigel Luther) managed to get a straight one bent because Emsworth was a rather long walk from Latvia

But you dont need to buy one .. you have the one you need according to #4 on the genoa. Take that off and replace it with an ordinary one.
 
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