rotostay

[jellylegs]

Hi, I have a headsail furling system that is very old, but works very well, still.
It is identical to the old rotostay, the one that has a top swivel that the forestay attaches too and also the halyard passes through this.

My system is called a 'rolflo' - nobody has heard of it - and I was wondering if anybody knows if the swivel part at the head is a secure unit, or held purely on the bearing. ie, if it physically possible for the two halves to pull apart if the bearing failed.

I am loathed to buy a whole new furling gear for the type of sailing I do, I never sail more than a few miles from the harbour.

I await a flurry of helpful replies.......

 

[merlin3688]

I have never heard of Rolflo but you could give X W Rigging a call, they supply the Rotostay and may be able to help. XW Rigging 17 Haslar Marina, GOSPORT, PO12 1NU. Proprietor : Paul Cochrane. 02392 513 553. 07805 849 419.

 

[Poignard]

I have an early Rotostay unit which is probably similar to the one you describe. The upper swivel has a thrust bearing consisting of two steel races (circular troughs) with 5/16" diameter steel balls running between them.

Even in the unlikely event of the balls crumbling to pieces the effect would only be that the forestay suddenly became 5/16" longer. But long before that happened you would notice difficulty furling the sail.

If you are unsure of its condition why not take it off and overhaul it? If yours is like my Rotostay it is quite easy to work on and replacement steel balls are obtainable at low cost from a bearing supplier. There doesn't seem any point in committing to buy a new furling system until you have had a good examination of your old one. It could mean the difference between spending nearly £1000 or a tenner.

The only job on the Rotostay that ever gave me any difficulty was separating the foil sections when I first came to take them apart.

 

[jellylegs]

Thankyou, that is very helpful. So, how does the swivel at the top come to pieces?

Yes, although it is ancient, its in keeping with the rest of the boat. But, it is in very good working order.

Thanks.

 

[Poignard]

Thankyou, that is very helpful. So, how does the swivel at the top come to pieces?

Yes, although it is ancient, its in keeping with the rest of the boat. But, it is in very good working order.

Thanks.

Well,I don't have it in front of me but as far as I recall:

Looking at the swivel you will see a small hex-socket grubscrew in the side. Remove this using a perfectly fitting hex key.

You should then be able to unscrew the two main body components from each other. (The grubscrew is to prevent the two parts becoming unscrewed)

All will be revealed and you will probably find it obvious where to go from there.

 

[alahol2]

This won't be the same as yours but it will give you an idea of how it may all fit together...

 

[pugdust]

Hi, Im finding this conversation very interesting, I have a rotostay on my McWester, last weekend I had it up and down half a dozen times trying to sort the problem, just keeps jamming up, the rope (Im new to sailing) that pulls the sail up keeps tangling itself around the gizmo, from what Im reading is the gizmo I refer to the foil? Once again yesterday (Saturday) had it up and down a further 5 or 6 times, seems to be the thing with the ball bearings in, can they be changed without taking the foil thing down? I really would appreciate any advise, Thankyou, Steve

 

[KREW2]

I will go along with Alahol.
He posted that diagram few months ago on another thread, and It helped me no end to service both top and bottom bearings.
I had the whole thing stripped down, and refurbished 3 years ago by XW rigging at a cost of £600 which included a new foil, so I only had to pack both bearings with a little fresh grease.

 

[Dipper]

Hi, Im finding this conversation very interesting, I have a rotostay on my McWester, last weekend I had it up and down half a dozen times trying to sort the problem, just keeps jamming up, the rope (Im new to sailing) that pulls the sail up keeps tangling itself around the gizmo, from what Im reading is the gizmo I refer to the foil? Once again yesterday (Saturday) had it up and down a further 5 or 6 times, seems to be the thing with the ball bearings in, can they be changed without taking the foil thing down? I really would appreciate any advise, Thankyou, Steve

It's possible that your halyard (the rope the hauls the sail up) is not angled far enough away from your forestay resulting in what is known as 'halyard wrap'. You can either fit a halyard diverter wheel to your forestay just above the top of the foil or rivet a diverter fairlead/sheave onto the mast. These force the halyard away from the forestay and prevent halyard wrap.

 

[pugdust]

Hi Dipper, thanks for the reply, I had already looked at the diagrams showing the angle the halyard should be, mine just pulls straight up so maybe I,ll try that first although the gizmo the halyard fits to and the sail fits underneath does seem quite graunchy when you turn it by hand. Once again thanks for your reply, I,ll keep you informed, Steve

 

[pugdust]

Hi Krew2, Thankyou for your reply, I,ll be calling XW rigging later, Steve

 

[VicS]

Hi Krew2, Thankyou for your reply, I,ll be calling XW rigging later, Steve

Your problem is almost certainly a combination of insufficient angle between forestay and halyard and raunchy halyard swivel.

You don't say where you are but if in the Solent area and still require professional help I'd suggest Barry Locke at "Barry's reefing and rigging repair service" located in Thornham Marina. 01243376064. Ex Rotostay man I believe.

 

[pugdust]

Hi Krew2 thanks again for your reply, I think we hit the nail on the head, angle of halyard and the swivel although I dont think its raunchy, lol. We bought the boat last November and its still on its mooring in Woolston. I,ll have another play with it then see where I go from there. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated, Steve