Kelpie
Well-known member
During a recent weekend away on the boat I spotted that the lower bearing on the profurl appears to have failed. When the foresail halyard is tensioned, a gap of over an inch opens up as the entire foil/sail/bearing lifts out of the drum. When the halyard is released, everything slides back into the normal place.
I think this has been caused by the furling line jumping off the drum and winding itself around underneath, forcing the bearing to burst open due to the axial load.
Obviously in future I will pay closer attention to sudden increases in load on the furling line, but for now, what should I do about fixing the problem?
I am fortunate to have a removable inner forestay and in fact on this recent trip sailed mostly using the staysail, so the furling sail remained stowed. I think I can drop the main forestay if necessary, using the inner forestay and perhaps a halyard to hold up the rig while I fix the problem.
I think this has been caused by the furling line jumping off the drum and winding itself around underneath, forcing the bearing to burst open due to the axial load.
Obviously in future I will pay closer attention to sudden increases in load on the furling line, but for now, what should I do about fixing the problem?
I am fortunate to have a removable inner forestay and in fact on this recent trip sailed mostly using the staysail, so the furling sail remained stowed. I think I can drop the main forestay if necessary, using the inner forestay and perhaps a halyard to hold up the rig while I fix the problem.
