[Rhodes22-list] Forestay Replacement

[cjlowe]

Stephen,
I have a 86,but I think their the same. The " plastic caps"  (actually
bearings) should be split, there might be small  screws that go through the
furling tube to hold the bearings in place,remove them. Gently pry the
bearings out of the furling tube(. I used a hammer and screw driver) Once
out of the tube, they will split into 2 halves.Remove bearings on both ends
of the tube. Tie a stout string or wire to the end of the jib stay,and pull
through the  tube as you remove the jibstay,so you have something to pull
your new jibstay in with.
I recommend buying the jibstay from Stan,he might ask you if your headsail
goes in a slot in the furling tube, or the furling tube goes inside a pocket
the length of the luft and attached with a screw on each end of the tube.It
would be a good Idea to order new bearings,too,unless your a whole lot
better at removing the bearings than I was. After 15 years of UV rays that
plastic was a little brittle,also,the bottom bearing gets alot of wear from
supporting the weight of the tube,sail, and sheets while grinding against
the bottom stop.
Well, that would be my best guess,
Jerry