Replace Headstay

[Time2Go]

Hi Friends
Attached are 3 photos of a forestry wire birdcage
This was found after a 7 day passage to Cartegena
Along the way we experienced high winds and
had furler problems. Owner used electric whinch
that tripped breakers a few times. My advice
to not use whinches was ignored. I do not
believe that we had a halyard wrap as it was tight
with sufficient angle away from the stay.
I believe the problem originated at the bottom drum
and lack of maintenance. When i flushed
with fresh water all sorts of salt crystals and milky
white salt solution came out.
I have advised owner to take down the furler and and
headstay, replace the head stay
service and or replace the furler (older Fancor)
The orange halyard in the pics is the spiniker
halyard used as safety line for the climber
and not a factor.
Question: Possible causes?
Is my advice correct ?
Recommendations?
Recommendations for good riggers
in Shelter Bay , Panama ???
Cheers
Neil

[Paul L]

The spin Halyard is inside and below the foresty? I don't get that.

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Paul L

The spin Halyard is inside and below the foresty? I don't get that.

As noted in original post,
spiniker halyard was the safety line for
the climber. As she moved around to inspect
and take pictures that is one of the positions
the halyard found itself in.
While sailing it was tied to the toe rail
way out of the way of the furler and headstay
Not a factor
Cheers
Neil

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

As noted in original post,
spiniker halyard was the safety line for
the climber. As she moved around to inspect
and take pictures that is one of the positions
the halyard found itself in.
While sailing it was tied to the toe rail
way out of the way of the furler and headstay
Not a factor
Cheers
Neil

From the last pic it looks like the orang halyard exits the mast where the Genoa halyard would be. I was wondering if someone confused the two and raised the Genoa with the spin Halyard causing the initial problem. That's about all you can see from the posted pics.

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Paul L

From the last pic it looks like the orang halyard exits the mast where the Genoa halyard would be. I was wondering if someone confused the two and raised the Genoa with the spin Halyard causing the initial problem. That's about all you can see from the posted pics.

Paul, Thanx for your responses
I know pictures aren’t great.
Do you agree that the stay should be taken down
and replaced given the damage to it?
It’s my understanding that once a wire rope
untwists like seen (Birdcaging) it’s toast.
Furler to be examined and repaired or replaced
By the way is there anyway to edit the title
of my original post. I got the term from
a wire rope site and it might not be a well
known term here
Cheers
Neil

[mikeod]

I found that same problem when i bought my last boat. Could not find any furler problems. The previos owner had the mast pulled and restepped and i assumed someone didnt know how to adjust the forestay and just spun the drum and wire.

[Paul L]

Is there a pic that shows the upper side of the upper furler bearing,halyard and attachment?

If it was my boat I would replace the stay after determining what caused the problem.

To change the title you can Flag the post,triangle icon, and request a moderator to make a change.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

Paul, Thanx for your responses
I know pictures aren’t great.
Do you agree that the stay should be taken down
and replaced given the damage to it?
It’s my understanding that once a wire rope
untwists like seen (Birdcaging) it’s toast.
Furler to be examined and repaired or replaced
By the way is there anyway to edit the title
of my original post. I got the term from
a wire rope site and it might not be a well
known term here
Cheers
Neil

Wow, would anyone even consider leaving that stay in place?

[ottow]

It looks like the profile has been damaged and is pinching the wire, which would make it rotate when furling/unfurling.
That's probably what's caused the damage to the stay.

I would most definitely replace the stay, any fix the profile. Seems half of the cap is missing too?
Sailing with this poses a serious risk, the stay is weakened and may break.

Otto