Is there something I've done wrong, like not greasing them adequately? Both of my genoa rollers jam no matter where I position them due to the angle of the jib sheet coming out of them on most points of sail. It appears that they are original and that the grooves that have been worn into them existed before I bought the boat.
Do they appear to be the originals, and therefore a 'Known Issue" for this vintage of C36, or did the previous owner of my vessel install the wrong type at some point? I was going to just replace the rollers, but then this past weekend I experimented and found that there is no way they will ever NOT jam!
Thanks for some feedback.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
Kevin,
Those genoa blocks look to be original Garhauer blocks, and they should definitely spin! It could be that the previous owner applied some type of grease or lube which caused the roller portion to expand and jam. Most synthetic rollers don't do will with petroleum based products. Another possibility is that the nut on the bolt/axle has been tightened too much? You could send them back to Garhauer and have them repaired, or order new rollers (sheaves?) from Garhauer. You might also try taking them apart and shaving down the thickness of the rollers, but you would still have the groove from past friction. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
As Tom said these appear to be original equipment. Disassembling should show you where the problem lies as they are not complicated. The groove makes it appear that they have been this way a long time and functioning as a lead vs. a roller and it would have to be replaced. I replaced mine through Garhauer years ago for some reason, which I can't remember. Perhaps same thing. They discounted if I turned in my old ones I remember. Have not had any issue with the replacements what soever.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Thanks Tom and Gary! I will disassemble them and take a look. Just bought some "One Drop" lube to try, too. I suspect the problem is not the sheaves, but the side to side rocking pivot below getting stuck straight up, now that I read your replies and think about the way they sit. They tip over and the sheaves roll when loose, but lock up under load. I'll contact Garhauer after I inspect them further.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada
Kevin,
They are supposed to pivot from side to side. From your latest description I would take them apart and see what is going on with the bolt/axle. Maybe ream out the sheave with a drill bit to make sure it's smooth, and also polish the bolt? They definitely should rotate smoothly. Mine do. I'd hold off on any lube until you see what the problem is. Normally only a fresh water rinse is all they need.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Well I'll have to look at them again under load because I took them apart and while they are loose everything rolls smoothly. The binding occurs whenever the jib sheet pulls off to one side and it presses the sheave against the aluminum disk on the outboard side of the sheave. That plate is not supposed to rotate, so when the sheet presses the sheave against it they bind and the sheave stops rolling.
Now theoretically this should never happen as the stainless steel support fitting is supposed to 'tip' over further and 'open up' the angle so that the sheet continues to be centered on the assembly and rotating freely. Obviously the fact that the sheave is now 'grooved' on both sides of the boat is the reason that they both immediately bind, rather than continuing to tip as designed, but something caused this to begin happening on both sides.
To test things out I added a washer between the sheave and its internal sleeve and the outer disk to create some space, but this will lead to other issues, I'm sure. Contacting Garhauer is likely my best next step as I will need new sheaves regardless. My fear is that the problem might well reoccur.
Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada