Lesson from newbies-how not to install a roller furler

[davidpm]

You didn't call me!! I would have taken video.

[arf145]

The Alado has no ball bearings. It turns on nylon bushings--no lube.

[CalebD]

So that is your know-it-all David?
He could have helped and taken a video to boot.

[propellanttech]

Very nice post. Made me laugh.........

I know it wasn't funny at the time, but now you have a "war" story to share when you are sailing.

James L

[TakeFive]

Even if you had removed the cotter pins, you may have still had a problem. Whenever you turn the turnbuckle, you should also use a wrench to prevent the backstay from rotating. Based on your description, it sounds like you were not doing this. If you were, you would have noticed right away that the cotter pins were preventing proper rotation of the turnbuckle.

There should be a flat spot above the threads to engage the wrench. Often this is stamped with a number, which I believe is the size wrench (in mm) that you need. With an elevated turnbuckle placing the wrench can be very awkward, because you need to reach even higher above the turnbuckle. I use a step stool on the cockpit sole to get up high enough, and it's still awkward.

You also need to use a wrench for shrouds as well, but those turnbuckles are much easier to reach.

[bljones]

Originally Posted by foggybottom

after releasing each other from our “we’re about to die and i always loved you hug” and checking our underpants for accidental soiling

lol.

[FoggyBottom]

Yep, that is our friend Dave. We didn't call because we assumed you would have sensed our fear and that we were in danger and just showed up like Superman. That and we figured "what could possibly go wrong?" The guy on the video installed it singlehanded and didn't even look that bright.

[Crazy Cat]

Thanks Takefive. That is exactly what the Yard Crew did to fix it.