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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Roller Furling Problem

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2002 : 20:15:36

I just splashed my new to me C25 this past weekend and today was my first opportunity to hoist the sails and give the boat a test drive. This is my first time with roller furling and I had difficulty with the North Sails/Harken unit in both unfurling and furling the genoa. It seems that the furler would bind every so often while furling/unfurling, so much so, that I would have to go forward and manually turn the foil to operate it. Since there wasn't any wind to speak of, I came back in to see if I could locate the problem. I removed the genoa and tried operating the furler without the sail, but it seems to be binding in the drum assembly somewhere. I removed the furling line and it still binds when rotated by hand. Both the top and bottom swivels spin freely and seem to be functioning normally. The top of the foil does not appear to be getting fouled. Does anyone have any ideas? Before I tear apart the unit, I thought it would be best to seek advice, because I don't want to do anything half-assed. It's whole-assed or nothing.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 05/21/2002 20:25:58

Edited by - on

LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2002 : 09:56:36

Don, in getting to "know" some of those who post here I have put you in the "Guru" category so I don't know if I could add anything you don't know, but I installed a furler on our new to us 1985 SW C25 and had huge issues with it not rolling/furling. I absolutely decimated my first forestay and the first foil and had to replace them both - to the tune of about $230 in cost and shipping. I installed a Schaeffer Marine SnapFurl system and what I think happened is I had a combination of not having the forestay tight enough to allow the foil to turn, and I hadn't put cotter pins in the holes of the insides of my turnbuckle and so they were trying to turn instead of staying put. The end result is that the foil was trying to turn on the foil, and it couldn't, and the forestay inside the turnbuckle which was inside/beneath the drum was still trying to turn when it shouldn't have. I also had a couple of kinks, I think, in my forestay which was not allowing it to turn as freely. After replacing the forestay and putting the cotter pins in it works like a charm! As I tightened up the forestay it all spun easier and easier. We were out on it and sailed it for the first time last night and it worked spectacularly!

Dave & Sharon on "Leigh-Marie"
Hull #5128

Edited by - on

Steve
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2002 : 11:34:14

Don,

I have a Harken unit on my C25. Since Harken uses a rigid foil, maybe it's not turning freely around your forestay. Try disconnecting the foil as close to the drum as possible. Seems like the first section of foil can be disconnected at the pre-feeder. That should tell you whether the problem is in the drum, or the foil. Did you use a Sta-Lock fitting? Maybe it's loose, or one of your forestay wires has frayed causing it to bind. If it's in the foil, check all those little connectors that hold the foil together. If I remember correctly, the forestay went through the foil fairly easily but was tight though the foil connectors. The only other thing I can think of is the furling line jamming in the drum, or the halyard wrapping around the foils, but it sounds like you've already eliminated those problems. I'm heading down to my boat at lunch today, I'll take a look at mine and see if I can come up with any ideas.

Good Luck
Steve

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2002 : 17:21:25

I found the problem with the furler and it only took a couple of minutes. After removing the line guard, I was going to remove the drum when I noticed that one of the three screws securing the torque tube was different than the other two. I removed all three screws and the one that was different looking was also about an 1/8 of an inch longer than the others. I replaced the other two screws and gave the furler a whirl and it spun like a top. The longer screw was apparently hanging up on the forestay as it rotated. A trip to the hardware store for the correct sized screw and, voila', problem fixed. I took it out for a test drive in about 10 to 15 knots of wind and everything worked perfectly. If you are not a racer, then there is only one thing I can say about roller furling, <i>"Don't leave home without it!"</i> Thanks Dave and Steve for your advice, one can never have to much information.

Dave, about your comment, ("I have put you in the "Guru" category"). I thank you for the compliment, but I am still amongst the mere mortals climbing the mountain in search of the wise man at the top(I'm beginning to think that wise man may look like Steve Milby. Does anyone know if Milby has a flowing white beard and wears a robe?)

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2002 : 21:05:38

Don: A screw from the hardware store? One question: Does it stick to a magnet?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2002 : 21:46:31

I must get into the habit of carrying a magnet to test my stainless steel purchases.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Mike Vaccaro
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2002 : 18:48:33

Don,

We have the same Harken system on our boat and have found it to be great--must explain why they're so expensive! If you give Harken a call, they will ship you the manual that goes with your unit. We've found that to be extremely helpful with maintenance. The folks at Harken are also great with service (i.e., parts) and technical support. Take a look at their web site at www.harken.com.

Cheers,

Mike Vaccaro on the "Swoose"
84 TR/SK, #4707

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2002 : 08:34:05

Mike,

Thanks for the information and I'll get the manual for the furler. Again, thanks!

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.