It's pretty simple. Just make a mental note of which way the old line runs before you take it off. If your not careful about that, you could wind it the wrong way and the sail will furl but with the sunbrella on the inside.

Also. look to make sure line isn't rubbing on the the cage around the drum which will create friction. The cage can be moved by loosing a set screw on the collar underneath the cage.

Nancy,
The only advice I can offer is to drop the main completely before replacing the furling line, and note how many wraps are on the furler when the main is unfurled. You will have to roll the furling line up that many wraps (by turning the furler by hand) after you replace it. If you try to replace the furling line with the main furled inside the mast, it will be very difficult to create enough slack in the furling line, and obviously you cannot furl it past the point that the block on the clew touches the mast. Hope this helps.

Nancy... when I read your post I read it as the jib furler....my errorr.

I am replacing the mainfurler line on my boat right now. Besides what Tom said, the line is held in the mast furler by a set screw. I'm sure no one ever lubricates it so its hard to back off. I'm in the process of using a spray on it right now and letting it soak before I try again.

When I took off the old line I measured it out at 64 feet, FYI. I'd suggest taking a picture of the rig so you remember how the lines run before you take the old line off.

Let us know how you make out Nancy. I'm sure that is in my future as well.

You asked for feedback so.... it's not hard to get the line out and rewound. The diffifulty is getting the set screw that olds the tail end of the line in the spindle. I've tried soaking it, used screw drivers, an inpact wrench and an electric driver / impact device. Wont budge. I'm sure if I try anything else it will snap off.

The only alternative is to drill it out an retap. I'm sure someone will suggest heat but I am loath to try that because it is too close to the bearings, which are some sort of fiber, and i'm afraid I'll melt them in some way.

Part of the problem is the screw is a slot head screw with a very wide slot. All the drivers I could find were too narrow so when pressure was put on them the driver slips out of the slot and bangs up the spindle.

I am currently trying to stuff the line in past the set screw as much as possible. The line does not wind dwown all they way so I think it will hold this way. we'll see.

Final edit on this.... could not get the set screw out even with an electric impact wrench and much soaking with different types of rust softeners, as well as a little heat. The darn screw slot is just too wide and I could not find a screw driver or impact driver head wide enough. Will eventually have to drill it out but don't want to do that with the stick up as the filings would fall into the bearings below it.

Ended up sticking the line into the hole thru which the set screw enters as far as it would go, then wrapped that stretchy magic tape around the base of the spindle. When you take in the main about 6 wraps are still on the spool so it should not be a problem. Only thing was all I had was red tape... blue would have been less noticeable

Red tape always creates a bunch off problems!

BT

Presume this is a Charlston Spar mast. I loosened the screw using a Sears Craftsman Hand Impact Tool Set #(9)47641 that I bought at ACE. It comes with a wide slotted bit. Replaced both outhaul and inhaul with New England Ropes Regatta polyester single braid. Works really well, made a big difference in ease of furling.

Dave ... thanks... I'll try to find that one.

One last point... I measured the old line and it measured 64', which is what I bought.... but that's way long.... I think it could be 20' less, so take a look before anyone buys and don't go by what I posted previously.