[C320-list] Roller Furling

[Scott Thompson]

I'd be surprised if you started having symptoms like that because of a 
loose forestay, unless the turnbuckle cotter pins somehow somehow 
managed to fall out so that the turnbuckle could unwind. I would put the 
forestay tension back where it was, unless you are certain it is wrong.

The problem is likely due to binding in the bearings, especially if you 
have trouble unfurling.  There are TWO sets of bearings in the lower 
unit, and flushing / spraying lube from the bottom of the drum is only 
going to help with the lowest bearing!  When my unit got stiff a few 
years ago I disassembled the drum and removed the torque tube, which 
gave me access to not only the bearings at the bottom of the drum, but 
the ones that were up higher at the bottom of the torque tube as well. 
You have to support the foil itself with a halyard when you do this. 
Read the manual for instructions.

Once I had good access, flushing both of the lower unit bearing 
assemblies with fresh water was very instructive.  Lots of sand and dirt 
came out and then things turned much easier.  It's hard to know how all 
of that crud got up inside the torque tube, but I suppose it only takes 
a little bit each year to produce a problem eventually.  The plastic cap 
at the top of my foil is missing and it occurs to me that some blowing 
sand and dust (and bird deposits!) might be coming in at the top of the 
foil and working it's way down to the bearings at the bottom.

BTW, anyone who uses a winch on a furling line is just asking for a 
catastrophic failure.  It's easy to damage the forestay itself that way, 
and then who knows how long until the rig comes down.

Scott
Surprise, #653

hcreech at comcast.net wrote:
> Well looking for help. Starting last season my Schaefer 2100 roller furling started to become difficult to furl and unfurl. I read the Schaefer manual and followed the instructions on tightening the headstay. This was done while in the water which was nerve racking considering I have almost a complete set of tools at the bottom of my slip. It helped a bit, easier, but I thought I would do it again on the hard, did not drop anything, yesterday. The results were pretty much the same. I must be doing something wrong regarding tightening the turnbuckle. I even sprayed all bearings with MacLube. The bottom drum is very difficult to rotate, even by hand. If anyone on the list has a suggestion or a trick I sure would appreciate the help. 
> 
> 
> Thanks, 
> Herb Creech 
> Cloud Chaser #606 
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653