What do bearings look like(!)?

[stranded]

Odd question I know - sitting in the cockpit having a nice beer after a lovely sail and we heard a rapid-fire pitter patter sound as something fell from on high - given the breeze, the masthead seems a plausible source. Retrieved these three tiny plastic beads - sounded like there were more but can’t find them. They are quite hard, but very light so can’t imagine they are very tough. Maybe 3mm diameter.

Any ideas what they might be from.

 

[wallacebob]

Top jib furler bearing?

 

[ash2020]

Probably the swivel at the top of the roller reefing. Mine has exactly those. 3mm nylon bearings. BTW, you can buy more on Amazon.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hopefully Torlon or some other engineering plastic. As said, probably top swivel. You may be able to replace them but investigation needed as to why they fell out.

 

[stranded]

Thank you for the swift replies - sounds too crucial for me to go tyre kicking so I will get a rigger down to take a look - the furler is 18 years old now so worth getting the whole system checked over. Gonna get expensive I fear.

 

[Roberto]

Delrin balls
Furler, full batten cars, generic blocks/sheaves, etc usually for medium duty; heavy duty use torlon which is golden brown colour.

 

[stranded]

Would anyone care to venture a view on whether if I try to unfurl the sail to drop it it will actually turn? It’s a bit breezy here today and I don’t want to get caught out with a partially unfurled genny.

 

[Roberto]

Would anyone care to venture a view on whether if I try to unfurl the sail to drop it it will actually turn? It’s a bit breezy here today and I don’t want to get caught out with a partially unfurled genny.

What is your furler brand?
Just checked your profile says you own a Sunbeam 44, if so the furler bearings would most likely be steel or maybe use 1/4'' torlon balls/rollers, 3mm delrin is for lower loads, this kind of stuff for example

 

[vyv_cox]

It should turn but in the absence of bearing balls you will higher need to pull harder.

Is this a Facnor system? My old one failed in a similar way, the replacement is better designed but considerably more expensive

 

[stranded]

It’s a Furlex 300s - OE I believe so specced for use with a 60m2 genny?

 

[stranded]

Google tells me the Furlex bearings are marine grade stainless, so hopefully the escapees will be from something less critical/expensive! There is a redundant block up there - bit smaller than the spinnaker halyard block - no idea what it’s for - there don’t appear to be any unused halyard leads at deck level.

 

[Roberto]

It’s a Furlex 300s - OE I believe so specced for use with a 60m2 genny?

The drum uses 8mm steel balls, the upper swivel should not be too different

 

[Roberto]

This block sheave broke and the tiny balls went all over the place (wind steering command lines)

 

[stranded]

Haven’t heard back from the rigger so we’ll drop the sail tomorrow to make sure it’s not the swivel then swmbo is keen to go up the mast to take a look if necessary

 

[stranded]

Managed to get Salcombe Rigging Services out this morning to check things over. Found the problem on the way down, which waaaassss… one of the lazy jack blocks had exploded!

Arrived dead on time, very personable, gave us peace of mind, and even managed not to laugh when they discovered the problem.

So a fine example of how to win forward business with a great attitude on a very small job - something that is not ubiquitous in the marine industry ime.