Facnor roller furling query

[moodybod]

We have just re launched and find the Facnor RX260 roller furling gear very stiff. Without the sail rigged, the drum turns by hand but not freely and with the sail rigged it needs the winch to furl the sail. According to the instruction manual all bearings are sealed and greased for life so no maintenance required. The gear is just entering it's fourth season so wear should not be a problem. Any others with similar problems and more to the point solutions? Thanks for your thoughts.

[davideso37]

Moodybod,
We overhauled our Facnor Furler last year after 5 years use and found the bearing around the forestay at the section joins were worn an at some furler section joins the two halves of the bearings had come apart. Replacement them is very easy if you have the forestay assembly on the ground. You can hold the mast up with a halyard and remove the forestay and furler assembly if you have a crane available. There should be a crane capable of doing this where you do your annual haul out. The bearings are very easy to replace once you pull the sections apart. If the task is too daunting I am sure a rigger will do it for a price.
Regards
David

[moodybod]

Good grief, total failure of bearings at 5 years was not what I wanted to hear. Thanks for your reply, a rigger is giving the gear a check over this week so watch this space.

[moodybod]

Just to update and finish this thread. The riggers have now examined the furler and at the masthead found that the top bearing and haliard roller are crushed resulting in damage to the forestay and haliard. All will have to be renewed. They think too little tension has allowed the haliard to wrap and the furling line must have been winched in to do the damage. Before we bought the boat I think because on the test sail they used a winch on the furling line which for some reason past me by and missed my rose coloured glasses. I always learn the hard way!

[davideso37]

Moodybod,
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to have the top rotating bearing at the specified height below the halyard. If the genoa luff is too short the halyard will twist around the genoa. I learnt the hard way and had to do a quick trip to the top in the bosun chair to add a strop. If the genoa luff is too short the angle of pull on the halyard will not be enough to prevent the top bearing sticking and rolling the halyard around the genoa. There are two issues to watch. First the foil must be extended close to the top of the forestay and then the bearing must be hauled close to the top of the foil. A mistake with either will result in a jambed halyard. Once set up correctly the Facnors furlers work well and I have found the support from our local dealer excellent.
Regards
David

[moodybod]

So, the final update is a bill for close to £1k but a furling system which now works and a new forestay to keep the mast up.

[Toby]

just dug out this old thread. since i have a similar problem with my 7 year old facnor sd165 furler i will add this to my to-do-list...

[ianqv]

Hi All

According to Facnor the top bearing is NOT sealed for life.
It requires a regular lube.

At LEAST a few times a season drop your genoa, lift up the plastic cover (on the top bearing) and apply some lube.

This info was given to me by Facnor UK

Hope this helps

Ian