Furler Help, Please

[Bill]

I've never had furling gear on my sailboats. My 28 has a 1986 furler which looks to be very straightforward. My question is, how do I lubricate the furler while it is on the ground, or can it be done after it has been attached...plus what is the best lube? Waiting to sail. Not sure of the manufctr! TKS, Bill



meislandbill@yahoo.com

[Larry DeMers]

Bill,
Should really know the brand name of that furler, but in general, most use a torlon bearing or some such material, and these are simply washed with fresh water. There will be some units (Hood) that recommend that the outside drum be raised and that the insides be washed out with fresh water, but I have not run into any that recommended an oil based lube. Get your brand name and model number, then find the compnay and check with them about an owners manual for the unit.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I've never had furling gear on my sailboats. My 28 has a 1986 furler which looks to be very straightforward. My question is, how do I lubricate the furler while it is on the ground, or can it be done after it has been attached...plus what is the best lube? Waiting to sail. Not sure of the manufctr! TKS, Bill

demers@sgi.com

[Randy]

I've never had furling gear on my sailboats. My 28 has a 1986 furler which looks to be very straightforward. My question is, how do I lubricate the furler while it is on the ground, or can it be done after it has been attached...plus what is the best lube? Waiting to sail. Not sure of the manufctr! TKS, Bill

Bill......I have an old Harken (82-83 vintage). Both the upper and lower swivels have spring C-clamp style washers on the underside of each swivel. The upper swivel is fairly straightforward and can be lubed on the hard or in the water......Remove the C-clip and the plastic washer (using a very small screwdriver to pry the washer out of its seat) and the upper bearing will drop out...use a good waterproof grease (white grease/bearing grease/etc.) Reinstall in reverse order.

The lower swivel has a combination of C-clamps, but the removal is very similar. A NOTE OF CAUTION-- I would recommend that you NOT attempt the lower swivel while the boat is in the water,,,,, those spring clips have a nasty habit of eluding you when they come unsprung and the water that I sail in is just clear enough to give you a tantalizing view of that pretty little C-clip sinking for about 2 feet before it disappears from view-- not enuff time to drop the special pliers you need and jump overboard to retrieve it
RJ CD25D #10 Serenata



RJcapedory@aol.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

I have a Harken unit 0, which I am guessing is about 1990 vintage. For once-a-year commissioning maintenance, the owner's manual recommends using WD40 or similar volatile spray lube with the little straw, squirt some in the opening where the bearings are. This helps to displace any dirt particles, etc. After a short drying period (say, 15 minutes), then squirt some dry lube such as Sailkote. For routine maintenance they only recommend flushing with fresh water. No disassembly needed.

Bill Goldsmith
CD27#173
Second Chance

I've never had furling gear on my sailboats. My 28 has a 1986 furler which looks to be very straightforward. My question is, how do I lubricate the furler while it is on the ground, or can it be done after it has been attached...plus what is the best lube? Waiting to sail. Not sure of the manufctr! TKS, Bill

Bill......I have an old Harken (82-83 vintage). Both the upper and lower swivels have spring C-clamp style washers on the underside of each swivel. The upper swivel is fairly straightforward and can be lubed on the hard or in the water......Remove the C-clip and the plastic washer (using a very small screwdriver to pry the washer out of its seat) and the upper bearing will drop out...use a good waterproof grease (white grease/bearing grease/etc.) Reinstall in reverse order.

The lower swivel has a combination of C-clamps, but the removal is very similar. A NOTE OF CAUTION-- I would recommend that you NOT attempt the lower swivel while the boat is in the water,,,,, those spring clips have a nasty habit of eluding you when they come unsprung and the water that I sail in is just clear enough to give you a tantalizing view of that pretty little C-clip sinking for about 2 feet before it disappears from view-- not enuff time to drop the special pliers you need and jump overboard to retrieve it
RJ CD25D #10 Serenata

goldy@bestweb.net

[Randy]

I've never had furling gear on my sailboats. My 28 has a 1986 furler which looks to be very straightforward. My question is, how do I lubricate the furler while it is on the ground, or can it be done after it has been attached...plus what is the best lube? Waiting to sail. Not sure of the manufctr! TKS, Bill

Bill......I have an old Harken (82-83 vintage). Both the upper and lower swivels have spring C-clamp style washers on the underside of each swivel. The upper swivel is fairly straightforward and can be lubed on the hard or in the water......Remove the C-clip and the plastic washer (using a very small screwdriver to pry the washer out of its seat) and the upper bearing will drop out...use a good waterproof grease (white grease/bearing grease/etc.) Reinstall in reverse order.

The lower swivel has a combination of C-clamps, but the removal is very similar. A NOTE OF CAUTION-- I would recommend that you NOT attempt the lower swivel while the boat is in the water,,,,, those spring clips have a nasty habit of eluding you when they come unsprung and the water that I sail in is just clear enough to give you a tantalizing view of that pretty little C-clip sinking for about 2 feet before it disappears from view-- not enuff time to drop the special pliers you need and jump overboard to retrieve it
RJ CD25D #10 Serenata

********CORRECTION........It is a HOOD system, not Harken. RJ



RJcapedory@aol.com