something not right with my furling gear

[sthurley]

facnor sd100

Advice please, my furling gear is very stiff to turn, it feels like it is snagging on something. I went up the mast yesterday and had a look at the top junction. The top metal tube seems to be separate from the top cover plate and when the tube rotates the forestay is cutting into the cap of the top tube. The tube seems to bump its way around. I guess this is not right, but never having seen this joint on anybody else's or a new set up, what do I need to do? Can the furling tubes be taken down without dropping the mast (probably a daft question!)?

 

[forelle541]

I suppose it depends on the make but on my Furlex one that's the top bearing and will need a new bearing and fore stay. It can be done without dropping the mast but not by me.

 

[Seajet]

sthurley,

any idea what make the gear is please ?

 

[J Neeves]

sthurley,

any idea what make the gear is please ?

And in this case an image would be lovely

Jonathan

 

[sthurley]

Its a facnor sd100, I will post a picture of the top section later.

 

[bitbaltic]

Its a facnor sd100, I will post a picture of the top section later.

Facnor SD100 is notorious for the top bearing failing leading to halyard wrap and the furling action becoming stiff as a result. The bearing looks ok under no load but when luff tension is on it turns with the foil. If this is your problem then you will have no option but to replace the top bearing and your forestay which will have been compromised by the halyard wrap. Exactly this happened to me last winter- I chose to remove the facnor completely and fit a furlex as even if you replace the top bearing of the facnor it will eventually do this again. The rigger did the work without dropping the mast but only because we were able to use the yard crane for a bit of unofficial manriding.... I mention this because the problem is very common to the system you have, but your description does sound like something else so photos would definitely help.

Cheers

 

[blackbeard]

I would like to make a general comment that stiffness with ANY genoa roller-furling system could possibly be caused by a problem with the forestay (strands becoming detached and fouling the inside of the furler) and this obviously leads to a weakened forestay. You need to be sure that this isn't happening or, if it is, replace the forestay (after fixing anything that might be wrong with the furler).

 

[cliffdale]

Try taking a little tension out of the luff / forestay. Definitely fixed a similar problem for me.

 

[sthurley]

I have edited my initial post to give photos and furler make. Note the grease at the underside of the drum, it was there when I bought the boat this year and don't think it is of any benefit as surely the lubricant needs to go inside the drum, if so how is it done?

 

[raven]

I concur with Cliffdale - sorted out a similar issue on my plastimo furler by loosening off some tension in the luff.

 

[chewi]

I concur with Cliffdale - sorted out a similar issue on my plastimo furler by loosening off some tension in the luff.

+1
nb the tension is to be reduced in the luff of the sail, not the forestay. If the forestay is too slack the foil has to bend while it twists, which makes matters worse, so the forestay needs to be as straight as it can be.
Luff tension puts loads on the bearings, so reducing that eases furling.

 

[sthurley]

probably a daft question but would that be achieved by loosening the backstay a bit if I can't adjust the forestay? would this not also mean the the aluminium extrusion etc would appear to 'sag' which surely would mean the whole lot would not turn smoothly?

 

[chewi]

probably a daft question but would that be achieved by loosening the backstay a bit if I can't adjust the forestay? would this not also mean the the aluminium extrusion etc would appear to 'sag' which surely would mean the whole lot would not turn smoothly?

absolutely not! keep the backstay tension to keep the luff straight.

You are right to beileve it would then sag and the situation would be made worse. Just take the load off the bearings by easing the luff of the sail. not easing the forestay.

 

[Heckler]

View attachment 43105View attachment 43104View attachment 43103View attachment 43106

facnor sd100

Advice please, my furling gear is very stiff to turn, it feels like it is snagging on something. I went up the mast yesterday and had a look at the top junction. The top metal tube seems to be separate from the top cover plate and when the tube rotates the forestay is cutting into the cap of the top tube. The tube seems to bump its way around. I guess this is not right, but never having seen this joint on anybody else's or a new set up, what do I need to do? Can the furling tubes be taken down without dropping the mast (probably a daft question!)?

The top bearings are knackered or dispalced, that thing you can see with a stainless dome is a locking pin to hold it in the foil. The bearings are split things which fit around the wire and slide in to that housing. You can use halyards to hold the mast forward, go up, knock the split pin out of the holding pin and lower the stay. Its LOOOOOOng!
Then undo a grub screw in the top deflector, knock out the split bearings and if necessary cutt off the stay, they are nearly £100 for a new one, ask me how I know!
Then get a punch and knock that black top cap upwards, the domed SS thing is the head of a splined pin which holds it in place, it should move up and then you should be able to bash out the knackered bearings. Then inspect and see if you need to replace the top cap. The bearings are split so just fit around the wire and then are pushed in to the housings.
You should be able to do it without taking off the foil, but if you have to then it is a tedious job, getting all the screws out, splitting the sections, knocking out the split bearings from each joiner. I have just done my 150, easy enough with the mast down! By the way, mine was nearly 15 years old, I replaced the forestay, put a bottle screw on the bottom and the refurb of the furler cost me just over a hundred notes. Considering a new furlex will cost ?? why not drop the stay, do as I said and buy a few bits from Eurospars, the main dealer, good man on the end of the phone! http://www.eurospars.com
Stu

 

[Heckler]

I concur with Cliffdale - sorted out a similar issue on my plastimo furler by loosening off some tension in the luff.

The top bearing is knackered or dropped down the foil, plus the wire has gouged out the bearing housing
Fixable, I have just overhauled mine.
Stu

 

[dje67]

Here's a couple of threads which I found very useful. They are for a Facnor SD165, but the same things will apply to your setup although I'd not be surprised if the components are a different size:-

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?381020-Facnor-SD165-Upper-Swivel-Bearings/page2

and

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-of-forestay&p=4652888&highlight=#post4652888