[Public-list] Roller furling

[Michael Connolly]

Peter,
I have a MK III Harken on my boat and the Manual mentions "At least twice a year the unit should be cleaned more thoroughly by opening the torque tube and flushing the bearings with soap and fresh water.  After unit has dried, apply a dry spray lubricant such as dry Teflon TM or silicone spray".  If you don't have the manual for your unit, obtain one from Harken and follow their recommendations carefully.
 
On the Maiden voyage home after purchase we realized that the furler would not work well at all.  Fortunately the Harken manual and assembly tools were on board.  Upon inspection I realized that the furler had come apart at the lower swivel reducing tension on the foil.  This also created major sag in the forestay.  Thus it was almost impossible to furl the headsail.  Without the Harken manual and special tools I could not have easily made the necessary adjustments to reassemble the furler and tension the foil. I was actually afraid that it would come apart entirely and the mast would fall.
 
After the adjustments the furler worked well.  To get at the bearings to thoroughly clean and lubricate one must do some disassembly.
 
I agree with Mike Lehman.  Get yourself the proper manual/tools, read carefully and go to it.
 
Personally, I don't like what roller furling does to the shape of the headsail.  I most likely will go back to hanked on headsails when I get the boat back in the water.
 
Is your boat now on the hard at Glades Boat Yard in Florida?   I will be in Ft. Myers from Mid November until April and perhaps we could get together and exchange notes.
 
Michael Connolly
#133 Lorrie Rose

Peter Amos <p.a.amos at tesco.net> wrote:
My Harken MK2 headsail roller furling has become stiff and squeaky.I suspect thhe bearings need a wash and some lubrication.I had a look when the boat was hauled but could see no way to get at them.Does anyone know the procedure?
Peter Amos
Tait Tait#478
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