Problwms with Plastimo Furler

[jusw]

I have a Plastimo furler on the Genoa of Treble C

Recently it has proved very difficult to let all of the sail out and occasionally hard to roll it back in.

When you try and rotate the drum, it feels very "notchy" - seems like it need a new bearing or at least lubrication.

Is it possible to access any part for oiling without completely releasing the forestay? If so, how?

JuSw

 

[dylanwinter]

symptoms

I have a Plastimo furler on the Genoa of Treble C

Recently it has proved very difficult to let all of the sail out and occasionally hard to roll it back in.

When you try and rotate the drum, it feels very "notchy" - seems like it need a new bearing or at least lubrication.

Is it possible to access any part for oiling without completely releasing the forestay? If so, how?

JuSw

Katie L has the plastimo

I keep the rig fairly slack

so going up wind when the forestay is tight it rolls in and out beautifully

downwind when the forestay is a bit slack then it can get a slight curve in it

then it feels a bit notchy

dunno if this helps

D

 

[Searush]

I have heard that a kettle of hot water over the drum can be useful for dissolving caked salt & flushing out any sand/ dust.

As a starting point, I would unfurl the sail & remove it so that you can feel how the drum turns manually - literally get hold of it & rotate it. Then you have eliminated any possible friction on the line or due to the sail. Look out for halliard wrap at the top of the foil before you remove the sail, it can completely jam the gear if the halliard is not lead properly top the block on the mast. If the drum turns easily by hand, then the problem is something to do with the furling line & its lead, if not try the hot water trick.

 

[Strathglass]

I have a Plastimo furler on the Genoa of Treble C

Recently it has proved very difficult to let all of the sail out and occasionally hard to roll it back in.

When you try and rotate the drum, it feels very "notchy" - seems like it need a new bearing or at least lubrication.

Is it possible to access any part for oiling without completely releasing the forestay? If so, how?

JuSw

On my fairly large plastimo furler there are ball bearings inside both the lower drum and the roller at the top. It is absolutely essential that they are washed out in fresh water annually.
One year I considered it was not necessary and it paid me back when I was out in the north sea and tried to reef. It was jammed solid and with the sail half in/out it would not move. I had to unwind the sail (450 sq feet) manually so that I could drop it.
The nylon balls were crusted with salt. And I managed to drop half of them into the depths of Lossimouth marina while attempting to repair it.
I always now hose down the roller reefing every winter.

 

[blackbeard]

Some good advice above.
If following it doesn't solve the problem, consider the possibility of one or more broken strands in the forestay. If this is the case then you will need to replace the forestay. There are various other threads on this topic.

 

[l'escargot]

Plastimo RR shouldn't be oiled, only washed with fresh water.

 

[chewi]

as said, the notchiness is likely to be a sagging forestay, so that you are having to bend the extrusion while twisting it.

Get some tension in your fore/backstays to straighten it (and sail better) also dont put too much load on the genoa halyard, as that presses the bearings.

If the bearings have dried up oil or grease in them , try to wash it out with wd40 / silicon oil squirted into the bearing , but better to leave only water as lubricant.