Rotostay question

[BlueChip]

I friend of mine just called from Holyhead, he is hoisting his genoa on a rotostay furling gear and 2' down from the top of the foil the sail has jammed. He gave it rather too much force to hoist and now two of the lower foil sections have parted
The question is - how are rotostay foil sections joined together - rivets, grub screws, glue or what?
Hope someone can answer this tonight?

 

[bluedragon]

If it's the more recent type of Rotostay, I believe they are glued. If you do a forum search on ROTOSTAY there are threads that discuss this. Hope this helps.

 

[Avocet]

Mine is a smallish Rotostay from about 7 years ago (27' yacht) and the joints are glued. They are short sections of shaped extrusion which is a good fit inside each of the main extrusions for about 4".

 

[mainmarine]

The older Rotostays joints were riveted to an insert inside the foil and had a block at the top with the halyard running the length of the foil and back.
Malc
Mainmarine

 

[paulrossall]

The design has changed over the years which is why you are getting diferent answers. My Rotostay has the aluminium inserts like others but they are held by small, short machine (grub?) screws.
My solution would be to screw the sections to the insert regardless of how previously fixed, using self tapping screws. IMHO. Paul

 

[fireball]

Careful to chop the end off the self tappers though - otherwise might they cause a premature end to the forestay?!
Just replaced the bottom track section of a Facnor furler - it gave up as it had rows of grub screw holes machined into it - not enough material left so it fell apart . /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
The new one just has the feeder riveted in position and the rest of the track rests on that (rest of the spare tube inside to give rotational force) ... not so handy when raising the genoa though - lifts the whole track up ... I'll have to add some silicon spray I guess ... still - only once or twice a season! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

Phone Rotostay on 023 9251 3553. Speak with either Ian or his son Paul. They will be more than pleased to give advise. A prime example of a small British company providing a family type service.

 

[andy_wilson]

Originally they were glued, the foil sections had a male andfemale end which was glued together.

If not done correctly under the right conditions, and left to fully cure, they were often prone to such failure, as was mine.

A modification provided for the offending male part to be chopped off!! and an insert to be fitted, drilling the sections to accept a short screw, may be a grub screw - not sure.

Mine was done promptly for me under warranty by Paul Cochrane of XW Rigging (who now own Rotomarine).

They do a kit I believe for DIY modification.

Andy