[C320-list] Schaeffer furler mainteance

[Scott Thompson]

It is a split drum, and no need to remove the forestay.  You cannot 
adequately flush mine from below with the drum in place, and in fact you 
have to partially disassemble the lower part of the unit in addition to 
removing the drum in order to properly access all of the lower unit 
bearings.  Sure, this is not the best design, but compared to the cost 
of a new unit I'm willing to put up with it.

Detailed instructions are in the installation/owner's manual.  There is 
a copy on the Schaeffer web site although it isn't easy to find.  Here 
is a link:

http://www.furling.com/JibFurlingInstallationInstructions.pdf

[Karl/Jeff, could we get a copy of this on the web site?]

Look at page 25 for maintenance instructions.

I've only done it once, although in theory it should be an annual 
affair, just like the winches.  My recollection is that it took a few 
hours, a large part of which was spent trying to loosen the grub screws 
that hold the "cage" in position around the drum.  These are stainless 
set into aluminum -- never the best setup -- and will want some 
anti-sieze goop when you reinstall.  The rest was pretty easy, but there 
are quite a few steps, and a bunch of parts that could go overboard, so 
it's not a quick job.  Probably could do it faster the second time.

Scott

Chris Burti wrote:
> I have not pulled the drum off, how much time do need to allow for that job
> and I assume since it is not a split drum that I have to remove the forestay
> at the stem to do it. We've never put the furler line on a winch, so that
> should not be an issue.
> 
> On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 11:52 AM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>wrote:
> 
>> It sounds like there is a malfunction in your system.  Mine unfurls easily,
>> furls easily and has never jammed in six years of use.  Have you checked the
>> bearings, top and bottom?  You really need to remove the drum periodically
>> and flush out the bottom ones.  I was amazed at how much sand and crud came
>> out the first time I did this.
>>
>> It's also possible that you have hidden damage to your forestay, or not
>> enough forestay tension.  None of them work well with a floppy headstay, and
>> it's not that hard to damage the forestay if you or someone else has ever
>> put the furling line on a winch.  You also need the jib halyard not too
>> loose (or you get a halyard wrap), and need to be religious about keeping
>> other halyards, especially the spinnaker halyard, away from the furler when
>> not in use.  Cranking the furling line with a winch while a halyard is
>> binding up high will damage the system for sure.
>>
>> Either that or the design went to hell between 1999 and 2001.
>>
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, 653
>>
>>
>> Chris Burti wrote:
>>
>>> Schaefer is OEM with Catalina and has been for some time, it is on our
>>> 2001.
>>> If you get one, make sure it is installed by someone who really knows what
>>> they are doing and is experienced with the unit.
>>>
>>> As for me...I really dislike it...hate may not be too strong a word...it
>>> is
>>> difficult to get it to start to unfurl, it is difficult to furl in any
>>> wind
>>> over 5 knots...or anytime the line on the drum gets jammed which is
>>> often, it is nearly impossible to get the line to feed properly on the
>>> drum,
>>> access to the drum screws for adjustment is poor. I have been trying
>>> every piece of advice or trick anybody has offered me for seven years to
>>> get
>>> it to work half as good as my old ReefRite with no success.
>>>
>>> As I write this, I am wondering why I don't sell it to some sucker on eBay
>>> with an appropriate disclaimer and just buy another ReefRite. And other
>>> than
>>> inertia...I can't come up with a logical reason. I am sure that I am doing
>>> something wrong...overlooking something stupidly obvious...nobody could
>>> sell
>>> as many of these units as they have if they all worked as crappy as mine
>>> does...It  is hugely frustrating...thanks for letting me vent...
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 8:27 AM, <amshd2 at aol.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dick
>>>> ?The OME on my boat is a Hood.? To date none of the riggers I have
>>>> contacted have recommend a Schaefer.? I will ask .? How does Schaefer
>>>> compare.
>>>>
>>>> Tony
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Richard A. Walker <dickwalker at att.net>
>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>> Sent: Wed, Jul 1, 2009 6:22 pm
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Roller Fuller Harken vs Profurl
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I would stick with the Schaefer.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> ?
>>>> Dick and Jauhree Walker
>>>> 740 Olive Ave.
>>>> Coronado, CA 92118-2136
>>>> 619.435.8986
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
>>>> amshd2 at aol.com
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 1:16 PM
>>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>>> Subject: [C320-list] Roller Fuller Harken vs Profurl
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Gang
>>>>
>>>> ?I am?about to replace my old Hood Roller Furler on my 94 320 and have it
>>>> leveled down to 2 models
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone have any experance with a Profurl NCI 32 or the Harken
>>>> Cruising
>>>> Unit.
>>>>
>>>> I have been told that the Harken unit is there entry level furler.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tony?
>>>>
>>>> #30 ?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>> --
>> Scott Thompson
>> Surprise, #653
>>
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653