Rotostay roller reefing

onesea

onesea

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Oct 2011
Messages
3,841
Location
South West
Visit site
Ok looking for knowledge.
I have this type of roller reefing on my headsail. Today it decided to go stiff..
IMG_20210802_114049_341~2.jpgIMG_20210802_114047_841~2.jpg

Can anyone advice as to Model?

Drawings, bearings etc...

If there is a company round the Solent that can keep it alive for 5 years I would love to hear.
 
You might just find your halyard is too tight. Try slackening it off until you have just taken the wrinkles out of the sail and try again
 
Looks like my Facnor. Slacken halyard (as suggested above) prior to furling or unfurling to prevent damage to the forestay. If it is a Facnor & not rotostay then they are not designed to be dismantled, although some have done so. But whatever you do do not add grease, WD40 etc as this just attracts dirt & makes matters worse in the long run. The threaded stud below the drum is different to mine as mine is not adjustable. However, some Facnor versions are adjustable & you can find them on their site.
 
It may not be the bottom that is the problem. Have you checked the top to see if the deflector has broken & jammed it, or if you have a halyard wrap, possibly due to a damaged head roller. If you previously had a halyard aligner has it broken free allowing the halyard to engage in the head in some way.
 
Daydream believer said:
Well presumably you adjust your halyard before every sail. No one leaves it under tension all week, because that is the quickest way to ruin a sail. So have you over tensioned it today?
Click to expand...
I have to congratulate you one the patronising and sarcastic nature of your post.

Please respond when you have something constructive to add…

Daydream believer said:
It may not be the bottom that is the problem. Have you checked the top to see if the deflector has broken & jammed it, or if you have a halyard wrap, possibly due to a damaged head roller. If you previously had a halyard aligner has it broken free allowing the halyard to engage in the head in some way.
Click to expand...
Not been up but can see diverted in place and no sign of halyard wrap. It did feel like it was the bottom…
 
Unroll it ,drop the sail and try turning the drum without a sail on it .
Also check the underside,sometimes when the furling line has been removed and cleaned ,the locking
knot on the drum end sits proud of the cage and rubs .
 
Think it’s going to be sail down flush with fresh water rotate empty flush through port at bottoms with fresh water.
Will go up mast at same time check all good there then scratch head.
I believe it’s a Rotostay IV
 
I have a Rotostay FS (if memory serves) and when mine became reluctant to furl it was the top bearing. I believe it’s also called the halyard slider. Anyway, the delrin bearings had worn badly. Nice easy job to replace them - they’re available on eBay.
 
onesea said:
Well have taken it apart cleaned it out opened out a plastic bush a small amount. Been out today and as good as new ??
Click to expand...
For future reference, if you have problems with it again, Barry the Rigger at Emsworth (google will find...) is the man to go to with rotostay furler problems which can't be DIYed - he worked for them for years, and still has some spares. He refurbed ours on our previous Sadler 29 some years ago, and did an excellent job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top