Plastimo Roller Reefing on the Genoa

[jusw]

I have a problem that I'd love some help with - I'm not sure of the plastimo model number, but the boat is 8.2 mtr.

On the underside of the furling drum, there is a bracket that is fastened in place by , from memory, 6 nuts this bracket is fixed to the wire halyard guide and allows the drum to swivel above it, looking below the drum the bracket has 2 "legs" that are pinned at the bottom by the same "clevis" pin that goes through the eye in the bottom of the forestay.

One of these legs has broken its weld so the unit is now only held by a single leg and as a result twists and doesn't always allow the sail to furl.

If I could work out how to remove it without major surgery / removal of the whole system, I could easily get it re welded and fixed back - Does anyone understand what I am trying to describe and / or have any ideas?

Julian

 

[l'escargot]

Probably a Plastimo 609, it sounds like you are describing the "chainplates". From what I recall they are just bolted to the bottom of the drum. Take your sail off to reduce weight on the foil, run a halyard down to the stem to support the mast and then just slacken off your backstay enough to allow you to remove the clevis pin and free the bottom of the forestay. You should then be able to unbolt the chainplates. Reverse the procedure when repaired.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Probably a Plastimo 609, it sounds like you are describing the "chainplates". From what I recall they are just bolted to the bottom of the drum. Take your sail off to reduce weight on the foil, run a halyard down to the stem to support the mast and then just slacken off your backstay enough to allow you to remove the clevis pin and free the bottom of the forestay. You should then be able to unbolt the chainplates. Reverse the procedure when repaired.

That sounds the same as for the 406 as well....

I think the only thing to guard against is losing the forestay up the inside of the foil - so in addition to escargot's excellent description I might be tempted to secure the forestay to stop it doing that - either tie it off to the forestay fitting and or put something through the eye to stop it slipping up the tube.... I'd suggest former as that will also help support the foils....

 

[jusw]

l-escargot,

If you are correct, this plate assy is indeed bolted under the drum, there are small nyloc nuts holding it in place, I presume the threaded studs are captive as you can't access the top of them?

What I wasn't sure about was whether the drum assy and folis above would effectively slip down - tying it in place should work - presumably I could run a line around the roller drum and tie it off to the pulpit rail?

Julian

Julian

 

[alahol2]

This may allow you to identify the exact model and explain it's operatation... http://www.bluemoment.com/manuals/plastimo_s_series_roller_reefing.pdf

 

[l'escargot]

l-escargot,

If you are correct, this plate assy is indeed bolted under the drum, there are small nyloc nuts holding it in place, I presume the threaded studs are captive as you can't access the top of them?

What I wasn't sure about was whether the drum assy and folis above would effectively slip down - tying it in place should work - presumably I could run a line around the roller drum and tie it off to the pulpit rail?

Julian

When you take the clevis pin out you could also tie a metre or two of line to the eye in the end of the forestay and tie it of to a bow cleat. Stops the end from flopping around and if the forestay does go back up, you can just pull it back down again.

 

[jusw]

When you take the clevis pin out you could also tie a metre or two of line to the eye in the end of the forestay and tie it of to a bow cleat. Stops the end from flopping around and if the forestay does go back up, you can just pull it back down again.

Looking at the diagram on Bluemoment the plates concerned here are the coupling plates These are welded to a base at the bottom of the body assy. It is one of these welds that has broken and the coupling plate assy is bolted to the bottom of the body with nyloc nuts - My concern is whether it is possible to hold the bolts / studs so that the nuts can be removed - Does anyone know if this is an issue or not?

Julian

 

[Fantasie 19]

When you take the clevis pin out you could also tie a metre or two of line to the eye in the end of the forestay and tie it of to a bow cleat. Stops the end from flopping around and if the forestay does go back up, you can just pull it back down again.

...that's what I said.....