Replacing broken roller furler

Jaggma · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009

We have an S2 8.0 - the roller furler doesn't work so we bought a CDI FF4 to replace it. We were told we could do it with the mast up - has anyone done this? If so, any suggestions? Thank you!

JomsViking · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009

The old furler has to go first - and that might not be removable without taking the mast down?
Details and/or photos would help immensely..

dacap06 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009

I have heard of people that replaced their furler without dropping the stick. I think it involves using your jib halyard as a forestay by attaching it to the bowsprit (or a strong point somewhere well forward on the foredeck), using your main halyard with a bosun's chair to get up the stick, and then detaching the old furler and attaching the new one.

I am unsure I would want to trust the well-being of both my mast and my too-heavy self, but to each his own.

CaptKermie · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009

It might be doable but I would prefer to bring the mast down.
The marina I slip at has this setup that looks like a series of scafolding, one platform above the other with a ladder to each level. It is up beside the big travel lift and you can park your boat right along side it, tie up securely then climb the scafolding to the level that meets the top of your mast. Some boats have to wait for low tide depending on mast height. I have seen people doing work to their masts at this scafolding but there is a charge for the use of it, might be cheaper to drop the mast. I am sure one could install a new furler at this fixture without having to drop the mast. Just another idea.

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009

We had a Harken furler installed with the rig up, no problem... but we didn't have to remove an existing furler. The rigger did all the aloft work from a bosun's chair. They did support the mast with a halyard while the forestay was undone during the installation.

I'm sure you can do the same for the removal of the old furler...

Leither · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009

I replaced my CDI furler with the mast up - no problem. However, I was also replacing the forestay and so had to get up the mast to do that. So, we had the new forestay fed into the furler foil and then hoisted the whole lot up.

The instructions that come with the CDI furler suggest that it can be installed with the mast up, but (as others have noted) it does depend on the nature of the old furler and the forestay arrangements......

Good luck

Stuart