In-mast furler - banging spool..... question **UPDATED**

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McFly
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In-mast furler - banging spool..... question **UPDATED**

There were a few occasions this past summer where there was little to no pressure on the sail in very light wind. During this time we heard the furling extrusion (internal spool) banging around inside the mast. This past week, after taking the sail off, the banging got very loud. (Apparently the bulk of the sail worked as a bushing). Unfortunately the day I chose to remove the sail it was very windy. In order to dampen the banging I sent the halyard swivel back up the mast, about 3/4 of the way (with a messenger line on it) to act as a bushing. Additionally, I stuffed some foam bedding into the slot and against the spool. (in the video below you will hear the banging, and this is after the dampening effect of the halyard and foam!). After I had the mast taken down later that day and I was able to look into the slot, I noticed there was nothing supporting the spool at the top, just below the mast head, and hence the banging around the cavity freely. I could clearly see the top of the spool and where there seemed to be wear marks where something may have been... My question: what should be up there? A bushing? A race? A bracket? Can't imagine it was designed to simply sit on the bottom race/bracket. Any suggestions and guidance would be appreciated! Here is a link to a video of the racket... https://youtu.be/bfrpxmMXzm4 Mike

updated with pics of the top of the spool inside of the mast cavity.  Still trying to believe that it came from catalina this way, with nothing at the top.  But maybe it did!  Next step is to call Catalina and ask!  

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

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pkeyser
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Mike-
I don't think anything is missing at the top of your furler.  It sounds just like ours. There is a lot of clearance between the internal furler and mast cavity when the mainsail is removed. I attach a 1" line to the halyard and hand wrap it around the furler a few times while hoisting and this seems to quiet most of the clang, turning it to a "clunk". All is quiet when the boat is on the hard.

There's a boat on an adjacent mooring to us with sails removed. Not sure what brand or make it is, but it's a newer contemporary design (and ugly). It has a an empty furler inside the mast that is also clanging away in the harbor waves.

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

McFly
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 200

Hi again Paul. I'm just a bit shocked that the furler spool simply "sits" by gravity alone, on the bottom race, with nothing at the top. With a real 'tight' wrap this would allow the spool to tilt back and forth in the waves. I guess there's no real harm in this and perhaps it keeps the in and out simpler. Next time I'm at the yard I'll take a pic of the top of the spool as you peer through the slot and post it. Thanks once again.

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

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rjwilson
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Joined: 4/28/14
Posts: 59

I attach a line to the halyard and use pipe insulation attached to the line to stop the banging sound.  Just feed the sections of pipe insulation onto the foil as you pull the halyard up. In the spring use the line you attached to pull everything down.
 

Bob Wilson
S/V Morning Breeze
2003 Catalina 36, Hull 2122
York River Yacht Club
Williamsburg, VA

McFly
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Posts: 200

Thanks for the advice guys. I wonder if a pool noodle with a slot cut lengthwise, and somehow attached to the halyard with a messenger line at the bottom would slide up the spool....

Thanks again

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

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