[Rhodes22-list] Furler drum part missing

[John Lock]

At 08:22 PM 5/30/2007 -0400, Arthur H. Czerwonky wrote:
>Even a new furler requires deliberate juggling.  You have a GB 
>furler, enhanced by Rodger with a top plate.  If tension is 
>maintained on both lines, the line can tangle, even with a new 
>unit.  Like mentioned to another skipper by one of our well 
>experienced sages - practice of the sailing skills is part of the 
>pleasure we have on our boats.

Thanks for the additional info.  My original post may have been 
misinterpreted.  I do not intend to replace the furler.  It works 
just fine, other than the occasional tangle at the drum head.  I was 
just wondering if a cover could be obtained after-market to help with 
the problem.

After further analysis and a few practice furls at the dock, I have a 
better feel for the nature of the problem (and a potential solution).

The furling line is lead thru a swivel block fixed to the deck just 
aft of the furler (you can see it in that photo).  This means that if 
there is no tension on the line, the block falls flat on the deck, 
taking the line with it.  The angle thus formed encourages the line 
to fall off the spool as it tries to wind on.

So... I'm going to mount a fairlead on the pulpit upright that's next 
to the furler (and another one a little farther back on the second 
upright).  This will be mounted at a level that will feed the furling 
line directly onto the spool, whether it's tensioned or not.  It's 
probable that enough slack in the line could still invite a tangle, 
but I think the odds will be greatly reduced.

I agree that learning to handle the lines is part of sailing and I 
really do enjoy that for the most part.  But I also like to minimize 
the cases where my incompetence causes more problems.

P.S. Art - I already love the boat!  It's gradually being transformed 
into my own variation, but it's all good. :-)

Cheers!

John Lock
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s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
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