Selden Mk 2 roller furler stiff? Or is it?

MagicalArmchair

MagicalArmchair

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I’ve always suspected the Selden Mk2 roller furled main is stiffer than it should be on my Bavaria 40. When I took the sails off for the winter, it was a glorious, windless day, and even then I had to winch the sail out.

The boom was perpendicular to the mast, the backstay off (so no bend), I had the boom to port and the right amount of tension on the outhaul. Still the ourhaul needed to be winched to unfurl the sail before I dropped it.

I popped down this evening to grease the system and take a look at it. When not using the ropes, and using the winch handle, it is pretty free, however using the continuous line it is still very stiff.

Is this the usual amount of friction in the system? Is this normal? I have never greased the top point at the top of the mast? Could it be that? See for yourself here:


Any advice from those who have these systems?
 
Needs dismantling and cleaning. Instructions on the Selden site - no it should not be stiff, but commonly is after years of neglect!
 
Good morning all,

I've had the furling mechanism off, and it was straightforward (apart from the fact the previous owner had stripped one of the machine screws holding it onto the mast, meaning I had to drill it out :cautious: ).

Summary: If your roller furling mechanism is not free, service it.
  • Problem 1: The furling foil was simply done up too tight. All the standing rigging had been replaced before I got the boat, whoever put the foil back on, had it bar tight putting too muchpressure on the mechanism.
  • Problem 2: One set of the bearings was shot.
  • Outcome: It is now a dream! I now love the roller furling main rather than flipping hate it. No winching sails in to reef them, even in a blow. Unfurling it does on its own it's so free. A loose pull on the outhaul, and boom, it's out.
I'll write up the full rebuild into an article later. It is very simple (and frankly quite good fun).

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One of the cogs was stuck on pretty good. We need to change the spring pin for this one too, as it was far too loose. It needs to be fully disassembled to get it back together in the right order so that all the bearings don't fall out as you put it back together :D.

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All Fixed:

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Just removed mine and stripped it. Slightly different as mine is an RA. However the vertical shaft had 12 balls at the top and 13 at the bottom which struck me as a bit odd.
 
Cheers. I am going to buy six, sevens and eights and do a couple of trial assemblys and see what works. I think mines an early RA and there isn't much info on the Selden website so it's a bit suck it and see. It may be that the bigger balls will take up some of the clearance in the bevel gears.
Steve
 
Finally finished stripping and cleaning. Mines an early RA mk2. and is a pretty crude piece of work. Bottom bearings 6mm sit direct on the bronze bevel gear, later ones have a replaceable inner race.This has cut up pretty rough and will need machining. Top ones sit in a cup with just a thick stainless washer holding it all in place.IMG_1353.JPG
Horizontal shaft is mounted in a nylon bush, later ones have a cup and cone and a needle bearing assembly.
IMG_1356.JPG
Only two pawls, again later ones have four.IMG_1354.JPG
Top cover broken and split, will need replacing. IMG_1357.JPG
This is probably the cause of most of the degradation as it has allowed water into the bearings
 
Thanks for posting - that is very interesting seeing the inner workings of another set up. I priced that plastic cup, as mine has a tiny split on the side, from Selden and it was £30, so I retreated from that cost, also it had a lead time of four weeks!

I spoke to the Pirates Cave, who are Selden resellers, to try and get spares. Selden were rubbish at getting back though, and the lead times were frightening (especially at this time of year when we want to get sailing). I ended up sourcing all the bits I needed elsewhere, including new roll pins (don't try and find A4 roll pins! They do not exist! Selden agreed A1 was acceptable), bearings and machine screws to hold the whole lot onto the mast.
 
I've ordered a rubber castor cup 4 for £3.99 :) from e bay . should do the job just as well. All existing screws and pins are in good order and being re used. New stainless balls on order. If you want a castor cup let me know and I'll send you one.
 
As far as I can gather, that rubber cover is to prevent water running down the foil and into the bearings, so it needs to be a tight fit on the shaft. If you have a split on it, it should be easy enough to seal it with some sillicon sealant.
 
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