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Snaking Schaefer Snap-On furler

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/17/2015 : 19:33:38

Last year we purchased a Schaefer SnapFurl CF-700 for Boats 24#8242; to 28#8242;(7.3-8.5m)and had it installed including a toggle on the masthead.

We apparently made the mistake of leaving the SnapFurl bungied, more-less every 2 ft or so, to the mast, under a tarp, during fall, over-winter and spring storage.

The plastic SnapFurl, during that period, took on significant bents especially where it rested on the spreader.

We noticed this just last week when we trailered the boat home and raised the mast. By tightening the split aft and side stays some bents are correcting themselves but by far not all.

It looks horrible and wonder what it'll do to our new 110% jib if we can't get it corrected.

What to do... anyone on the forum who has experienced this and has some, ideas, suggestions? I did e-mail Schaefer and hope to get some solutions

In the meantime we used 2x2 and zip-strapped the almost 30ft long plastic furler to it and hope that by placing it in the family room, its temperature may help to straighten out again

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - zeil on 05/17/2015 19:41:36

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2015 : 20:18:04

I'm betting if you lay it flat in the sun it will straighten back out. Realistically it got in the condition it's in now over a period of time and with most things plastic (unless it gets kinked) they can be straightened out by laying flat for awhile and letting them got warm to hot.

Since you are so far North you might be able to lay it out strapped to the 2 x 2's and rap it in black plastic (to get it hotter) then lay out in the sun for a while.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - GaryB on 05/17/2015 20:20:41

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2015 : 03:38:04

Now you have a reason to come down to Florida for a few days, it'll straighten out

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2015 : 15:52:46

Thanks for the invitation Paul. I'm sure we'd get along well together being old country neighbors and all. Would love to visit you and your wife in paradise... and straighten out the plastic roller furler extrusion. However, it seems like a longish trip so... we'll first try some alternatives.

Gary mentioned to wrap the wonky, bent-out-of-shape extrusion in a black plastic sheet still strapped to the 2 x 2's and place it in the sun. Sounds like a good idea now that up here the sun is getting stronger and stronger.

It also was suggested to insert the entire furler extrusion into a black 30 ft long 2inch diameter PVC pipe with the ends sealed and have it bake in the sun for a week or so while rolling it over once or so each day. Both ideas sound good and will try that after we come back from visiting the kids in about a month.

One more way perhaps to solve the problem is to use a heat-gun very carefully and try to straighten a smallish section(s) with the biggest bents at a time...

What do you people think and what idea's do you feel would have the most success.

Any other suggestions??

We'll keep you posted...

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2015 : 16:43:07

quote:
Originally posted by zeil

Thanks for the invitation Paul. I'm sure we'd get along well together being old country neighbors and all. Would love to visit you and your wife in paradise... and straighten out the plastic roller furler extrusion. However, it seems like a longish trip so... we'll first try some alternatives.

Gary mentioned to wrap the wonky, bent-out-of-shape extrusion in a black plastic sheet still strapped to the 2 x 2's and place it in the sun. Sounds like a good idea now that up here the sun is getting stronger and stronger.

It also was suggested to insert the entire furler extrusion into a black 30 ft long 2inch diameter PVC pipe with the ends sealed and have it bake in the sun for a week or so while rolling it over once or so each day. Both ideas sound good and will try that after we come back from visiting the kids in about a month.

One more way perhaps to solve the problem is to use a heat-gun very carefully and try to straighten a smallish section(s) with the biggest bents at a time...

What do you people think and what idea's do you feel would have the most success.

Any other suggestions??

We'll keep you posted...

Black PVC sounds like a better idea than the plastic. Not sure about closing off the ends. Would be much easier too.

IMO, I'd avoid using the heat gun. I think heating the whole extrusion at the same time in the PVC would be better for it rather than doing a small area. I'd be afraid of weakening a section due to differential heating if you only do parts of it.

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2015 : 05:10:22

I believe that the foil is rolled up in a coil when they are new and the directions tell you to lay it out in the sun to relax it so as long as there are no kinks I think a little heat from the sun should do the trick. You could try hot water poured along the foil to help it along if the sun isn't that strong yet.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2015 : 15:23:53

Wow... great news guys

As mentioned I contacted Schaefer Furling and Reefing system to find out if they could suggest some steps to solve the problem.

We promptly received the following response from the factory

Joy, on behalf of Schaefer Marine writes:

OK, I don�t think that the foil is going to straighten out, so we will ship you a new CF-500-extrusion no charge. However, you will have to pay for the shipping @ approximately $60.00 plus duty/taxes. Shipping is expensive because of the size of the box for the coil. Please provide a complete shipping address, telephone number and a Visa or M/C, expiration date and the 3 digit security code.

Joy

Just wanted to share this, standing behind their product attitude, from Schaefer Marine even though I considered it to be my problem.

Thank you Schaefer Marine for going out of your way.

And yes... you bet.. I want to share this wonderful customer service with all my sailing buddies.

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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3992 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2015 : 15:28:21

Good for you! Kinda gives ya that warm fuzzy feeling....For awhile at least.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 05/19/2015 15:32:47

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2015 : 20:38:41

And now you will need to lay the coil out on the driveway in the sun for a few days.

Frank Hopper

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2015 : 15:53:53

Left the furler strapped to the mast, below a tarp and over the spreaders. The extrusion took the shape of a snake. Just a clarification the half of an 4" PVC pipe is used over top of the mast to provide a little airspace, protect the steaming/deck light and halyards

Tarped for an entire year including hot summer weather.

After 6 weeks in the family room strapped to 2x2, while we were away, the extrusion has improved but is still unacceptable.

Purchased 11/2" black pipe and inserted the extrusion which has about 3/8 play inside and placed it in the hot summer sun.

The black pipe is strapped to 2x2" and straightened as much as possible, Hopefully after a few days in the sun in will take its former shape. If not... we'll install the newly arrived extrusion which will be straightened out using the same procedure

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2015 : 21:52:31

Inserting the twisted snake like furl extrusion in a black PVC 11/2" pipe and placing it in the hot sun for a few days I was hopeful its original memory would help straighten it out but... no such luck. The PVC pipe may have helped a little but certainly not enough. As last resort I used a heat gun at the bents and snugged it in a jig but alas... the snaky curves remained. At this point, unless someone comes up with some suggestions, I have to admit defeat and use the just arrived new furl.

Taking the old snap-furl extrusion apart is not a complicated task. Installing tomorrow the new extrusion should be simple.

In the meantime, we went with the family and kids to the Othello Tunnels in Hope, BC which was, in bygone days, part of the Kettle Valley railway. The photo's does not do it justice but it was one of the most difficult and expensive sections to complete of the entire rail-road system. Even though it is far inland huge salmon can be seen resting before they tackle the next hurdle...

Even using today's tools the task of boring series of tunnels would be daunting. If we're home, it would be my pleasure to act as a tour guide if any of you decide to come our way or need a little respite from all that sailing...

Edited by - zeil on 07/07/2015 21:58:17

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 06:28:21

That one bend--on the left in your photo--is a really short radius. I wouldn't expect it to "relax" back to straight, even with heat (like the coiled extrusion will).

Does Schaefer offer any recommendations for horizontal storage? Around here, lots of masts spend the winter on racks in boatyards, with furlers strapped to them--it must be a common issue even beyond trailering.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 07:04:17

Good point... I wrote Schaefer just now and asked them for storage suggestions of the extrusion. As you mentioned it has to be a common problem among lots of trailer sailors

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 15:49:03

Here's in SoFla we have high heat summers too, and JD's furler is strapped to the mast with just a slight bend as it passes over the spreaders.

The furler is held up at the foot by a 3" pvc pipe that is also strapped to the mast and the furler drum sits over the end of the pvc pipe.

That way, the furler is under tension between the drum and the head of the furler.

When we raise the mast, even after a 2 month break on the trailer, the furler has minimal bend and unnoticable the next day.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2015 : 17:41:00

Here is the answer received from Steve Majkut, Director of Sales & Marketing, Schaefer Marine

Hi Henk and Johanna,

Great question. The material for the foils on our CF-500 and CF-700 are a geon pvc. They are more flexible in warmer weather so keeping them straight in the winter is ideal. Lashing it to the mast is the easiest but my recommendation would be to use webbing or wide diameter soft line in order not to �score� or bend the foil when you tighten it next to the mast. In most cases, the headstay is longer than the mast leaving 2�-4� of the system unsupported at the bottom. If possible, the PVC tube idea is brilliant and not only supports the transition from the foil to the torque tube/drum area but also keeps it out of the elements. I don�t think you need to put pvc tube over the entire system � though it�s a good idea and would protect everything well.

Even with some minor bends in the foil, do not be alarmed. In the spring when the mast goes up and the headstay is tensioned 99% of these go away.

Please let me know if Joy or I can be of any help.

Enjoy your season!
Best,
Steve

Steve Majkut
Director of Sales & Marketing
Schaefer Marine

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2015 : 11:01:09

The Schaefer "snap-on", furl has been replaced. Once the length has been determined it takes some effort to insert the fore stay and snap the two twisting parts together. The furl is going to be stored in a 2" thin-wall, white plastic tube normally used for in-wall vacuum cleaner systems. The material is more rigid and has less flex. It should be suitable to store and transport the furl. The drum lower end will be protected with a 6" diam pvc pipe complete with vent holes...

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