Check those screws!!!

[Warren Kaplan]

This is in the way of a "reminder" to check certain items that we often overlook, not think about, or take for granted. I had to make an adjustment on my Furlex genoa furler. Great piece of hardware and I love it! When I was adjusting the drum on the foredeck I found that a number of screws were loosening up and one was just a couple of turns from backing out. It could have led to trouble if the screw let go when the genny was deployed and under load. Nothing disasterous but it would have made for an interesting time on the foredeck trying to furl that sail in 18 knots! I take good care of my equipment and I greased everything at the beginning of the season as instructed. I believe with all the moving parts on that drum that some of the grease managed to get on to those screws and literally greased their way towards loosening. The point here is that after an entire season, lots of things may not be as tight as we made them in the spring. So if you haven't done it in a while, take 10 minutes and check those screws and pins etc on the rigging that you haven't REALLY checked since spring commissioning!

Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166 1980



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[Mark Yashinsky]

Should those screews have a drop of medium strength Locktite (the red???) on them, for security??? Can still get them out, if necessary).

[Warren Kaplan]

Should those screews have a drop of medium strength Locktite (the red???) on them, for security??? Can still get them out, if necessary).

Mark,
Probably. Next year at spring commissioning I think I'll be buying a lot of Locktite.

Warren



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[sloopjohnl]

red is the strong stuff
blue is the medium strength

Should those screews have a drop of medium strength Locktite (the red???) on them, for security??? Can still get them out, if necessary).

Mark,
Probably. Next year at spring commissioning I think I'll be buying a lot of Locktite.

Warren