In-Mast Main Sail Hydraulic furling system

[zeseb]

I've just bought an old boat and I am struggling how to maintain my hydraulic main sail furling system.
I have no idea what this is this system and how to maintain. It is very stiff now. I did use it from Sydney to Melbourne, but it looks a bit blocked after not using it during our winter month.
You can look at the pictures attached and all advice are welcome.

[Moody Mike]

Originally Posted by zeseb

I've just bought an old boat and I am struggling how to maintain my hydraulic main sail furling system.

I have no idea what this is this system and how to maintain. It is very stiff now. I did use it from Sydney to Melbourne, but it looks a bit blocked after not using it during our winter month.

You can look at the pictures attached and all advice are welcome.

I have the same Hood hydraulic furling system on my Carbineer 46. Congratulations you have the best furling system ever. If its stiff it may need a bit of a service . I will explain how the system works . Below decks you have an electric driven hydraulic pump it has 4 electric relays on the pump check these for corrosion at the contacts . I replaced all these relays they are cheap. Check the pump to see it has oil inside open the cap to look it takes ATF fluid. When you push unfurl you must pull the sail out using your winch as well otherwise it will just spin inside the mast & jam. When furling be careful these units are very powerful & can pull the clew off a sail. when you push the in or out buttons the relays open & turn the electric motor clock or counterclockwise . This drives the hydraulic pump the ATF fluid is pumped up to the hydraulic motor at the mast. The motor transfers the power through the chain to the base of the furler foil.
above the motor is a 29 mm nut you can manual furl using a socket & ratchet on this nut. If the chain is rusty undo the clip remove & clean if stretched you can buy new chain count the links cut to size & refit.
The bearing at the base of the furler is nylon do not attempt to lubricate it will swell & become stiff. check the tension on the foil it can be adjusted using the threaded rod under the bearing.
Im in Ballina NSW north coast If you wish to call me to discuss send me a PM.
Mike

[Moody Mike]

see pics below of pump relays & manual system above motor

[charliehows]

Originally Posted by Moody Mike

see pics below of pump relays & manual system above motor

respect, man, that is a compact, detailed and generous response. You're a champion.

[Moody Mike]

Thanks Charlie ��

[Almost-There]

I dont know if it was the same system but I thought it was worth mentioning anyways.



A while ago a guy I worked with used a Mercruiser trim pump and solenoids to repair a similar system when parts weren't available and last I heard its still going strong.

[Moody Mike]

Well Zesb called me & I think we found the problem. I was hoping to see a video of it all working properly .

[zeseb]

yup, Mike was awesome. Too much wind in Melbourne lately to test my new configuration suggested by Mike plus a little battery issue postponed my project... I will post some videos and photos of my stuff in the forum as soon as I make it work

[zeseb]

At last, all sorted today. I changed the chain (not a bike chain so you need to go a specialist for chains) and I unjammed the main sail that was quite stuck by spraying some water on, then alternatively furl it in and out and vice/versa manually with the ratchet.
Thereafter, I furl it out completely, set it up as Moody Mike advised.
I had to put the boat against the wind to avoid any torsion on the furling axis, then I applied some tension on the sheet to roll the sail tight around the furling axis. I basically furled it in 20cms by 20cms to do it progressively and no problem with the hydraulic to furl it in and then out again.

If you have some advise maybe to operate it better, let me know.

I had also an ATF leakage because one of the brass junction fitting joining 2 hydraulic pipes was broken. So I had a massive drop of pressure.

The time to find some suppliers for all of this delayed this project not mentioning the constant strong wind in Melbourne.

Thanks to Moody Mike to his awesome help!

[Moody Mike]

Glad it all worked out 😉👍

[zeseb]

Moody, have you ever tried to remove the main sail from the shaft? If yes, how did you operate?
Thanks

[Moody Mike]

To lower the main tie a length equal to mast height plus 2 m of vb cord or similar to the wire halyard first. Then untie the cord that lashes the halyard to the rotating bearing. Pull down on the sail , as it comes down the wire halyard goes up the cord you attached first is there to pull the sail back up.

[zeseb]

I see exactly what you mean! Cheers, Sebastien.

[Moody Mike]

You need to get that halyard tight when you put the sail back on I can run mine to a winch but pulling by hand & locking a loop each pull will get it tight enough.

[zeseb]

Interestingly enough, in the Hood Stow Furler documentation you gave me in the past, they are referring to a main halyard attached to the top swivel.

Then they explain how to install the main sail (See att);

Do you think that sliding the swivel from top to bottom to lower the main sail would also be a good idea.

But I am unable to know which one is attached to the swivel as I have some wire and halyard going to the mast without knowing where they go...
(Yeah, I know, I should have asked to the owner when buying it ). I put some pictures to illustrate.