Bend in furler foil

[Dieselmech]

Can anyone help me out here. I noticed this slight bend in the foil when I removed my Genoa today. I believe it has always been there maybe hit by a travellift or something. Is it possible to straighten these pieces? Or is it a simple case of replacing the bent peice? Thanks

[belizesailor]

Wow, that looks like more than a slight bend!

Not really feasible to straighten with good results, best to replace the bent extrusion sections. I would closely inspect the forestay and terminal fittings to make sure nothing else was damaged too.

[gulfstar37]

As belizesailor indicated that's not feasible to straighten. The starboard slot track looks like it was ripped right out. Hope the manufacture still supports replacement parts for the foil. Pay attention to the stay wire for broken wires or unraveling.

If damaged by travel lift, they should be involved with cost of repairs.

[AKA-None]

The key, as mentioned, is good results. You probably can fix it but it may not be usable. I’d try to find a replacement but if I were remote I’d consider it reparable as is where is; if no other options.

Try it as you are probably no worse off than you are now. But no matter what Check the stay and all fittings for ANY damage.

[a64pilot]

I’d say you might can if you try to bend it around something large and round.
I had several very bent pieces of SS tubing, and they straightened so straight that I can roll them on a flat surface and you can’t see any wobble. Amazed me, cause I thought they would kink, but figured I had nothing to lose. A lot depends on the level of heat threat the material is, and there is really just no way to know that, so try to straighten it, but be prepared to replace it if and when the attempt goes wrong.
If its working now, before I did anything I’d find the replacement before I messed with it.

[Dieselmech]

Thanks heaps for the feedback guys I think I will try find a replacement part and maybe try straighten this one and keep as a spare. Cheers

[Dsanduril]

Don't know where you are or how old your furler. We had some damage around loose set screws for which the only real fix was a new section of extrusion but extrusions for our older Profurl are no longer available. Went by a local rigging shop that does a lot of furler work and they had old/used in good condition laying around. When they do a replacement they tend to keep the old extrusions around for just this kind of thing. So, if you can't straighten and can't find/get new try the local rigger and send a little beer his way.

[belizesailor]

What make & model of furling is it? Maybe someone here can give you a lead on replacment extrusions.

[chris95040]

Is your headstay taut? I would have guessed any bend in the noodly extrusion would work itself out (at least better than that) once the stay was tensioned properly...

[chouliha]

Not only inspect the stay but look closely at the masthead tang that holds the head stay for cracks. It appears to be a profurl fuller. If you can’t find a replacement 6’ extrusion section try Pacific Offshore Rigging in SD as they may have some used extrusions they would sell you

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by gulfstar37

As belizesailor indicated that's not feasible to straighten. The starboard slot track looks like it was ripped right out. Hope the manufacture still supports replacement parts for the foil. Pay attention to the stay wire for broken wires or unraveling.

If damaged by travel lift, they should be involved with cost of repairs.

Looks like an older "Classic" ProFurl. Parts are available. I dealt directly with ProFurl. There are also manuals on line. You will need one or two extrusion sections depending on where the joint is. Unless you are skilled, have a rigger service it. Inspect the bearings too as well as cable and fittings. If the stay ends are Norseman you might get the extrusions off. It's possible you may need a new stay if it's not possible to get the damaged extrusions off. On re-assembly tighten all of the titanium set screws in the extruded profiles. I recommend thread locker.

[ramblinrod]

Is the furler less than 20 year old?

If so, the manufacturer, if still in business should supppt replacement parts. If not, it is near the end of its life expectancy and due for replacement anyway.

We have had a number of replacement quotes rejected and repaired instead rfor about 1/3 replacement cost, only to have something else break a year or lwo late, and have the customer upset they spent the money on the prior repair rather than just replace.

Sometimes, the wise thing to do, is to replace vs repair.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Is the furler less than 20 year old?

If so, the manufacturer, if still in business should supppt replacement parts. If not, it is near the end of its life expectancy and due for replacement anyway.

We have had a number of replacement quotes rejected and repaired instead rfor about 1/3 replacement cost, only to have something else break a year or lwo late, and have the customer upset they spent the money on the prior repair rather than just replace.

Sometimes, the wise thing to do, is to replace vs repair.

Here is the site for ProFurl parts and manuals. I am pretty sure yours is a "Classic" style. Figure out the size by measuring the foil diameter. I have never had any trouble getting service parts.

Profurl

[belizesailor]

Where are you?

I know of a couple of sets of old ProFurl extrusions here in Panama (one was mine!).

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by Dieselmech

Can anyone help me out here. I noticed this slight bend in the foil when I removed my Genoa today.

Looks like a serious bend in the upper third of the foil?

Do you know how that happened? It's ususally the spinnaker pole that causes furler damage, but I didn't expect it to reach that high up.