rotrax
Well-Known Member
As above. Had the boat for seven seasons, sails always removed over winter for the first five. Due to circumstances, mostly Covid, main and jib have stayed up for the last two years.
I found the sail immpossible to drop last October so left it up. It performed well during our 1800 NM's this season. I took the new furling Code Zero and the in-mast main down this morning and the rigger came and went up the mast. I suspected the jib halyard sheave. That is fine, no problem, running free, not worn. He took the head shackle out, the sail slid down perfectly.
The top swivel though is so stiff, all the way down the foils, all 40 feet of them. It had to have a line and turning block rigged and was winched down. It took a great deal of effort and is very tight. Not possible to move up or down by hand. In the past it just slid up and down perfectly, no friction apparent.
It swivels perfectly, it just will nor run up and down the foil. On the way down it has not scuffed or gouged the foils.
The only cause I can think of is that one of the tiny countersunk cap screws that join the foils has fallen out and got between the inner swivel body and foils.
What I find hard to believe about this scenario is that I feel sure it would mark or gouge the foils. There is no evidence of that.
Until I can investigate further, I am stumped. I know enough about materials to know it is not corrosion or salt jamming it and the boiling water treatment helped not a jot. It is unlikely the dimensions have changed and it is difficult to envisage impact damage 40 feet up in the air.
Any experiences or ideas gratefully recieved.
I found the sail immpossible to drop last October so left it up. It performed well during our 1800 NM's this season. I took the new furling Code Zero and the in-mast main down this morning and the rigger came and went up the mast. I suspected the jib halyard sheave. That is fine, no problem, running free, not worn. He took the head shackle out, the sail slid down perfectly.
The top swivel though is so stiff, all the way down the foils, all 40 feet of them. It had to have a line and turning block rigged and was winched down. It took a great deal of effort and is very tight. Not possible to move up or down by hand. In the past it just slid up and down perfectly, no friction apparent.
It swivels perfectly, it just will nor run up and down the foil. On the way down it has not scuffed or gouged the foils.
The only cause I can think of is that one of the tiny countersunk cap screws that join the foils has fallen out and got between the inner swivel body and foils.
What I find hard to believe about this scenario is that I feel sure it would mark or gouge the foils. There is no evidence of that.
Until I can investigate further, I am stumped. I know enough about materials to know it is not corrosion or salt jamming it and the boiling water treatment helped not a jot. It is unlikely the dimensions have changed and it is difficult to envisage impact damage 40 feet up in the air.
Any experiences or ideas gratefully recieved.
