I removed my furling drum once a couple of years ago. Mine was a 1998 so it might have been a bit different, but I don't recall having any trouble getting any screws loose. If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest trying an impact-type cordless screw gun. When under heavy load, these go to an impact mode rather than just turning.

Glen, is it aluminum in aluminum? PB Blaster before an impact driver would be in order, unless you've done that already.

Glen and John

I too have been planning to remove the furling drum on my boat as I wanted to replace the line and also to try and seal the mast as John Reimann did some time back.
I'm not at the boat now but the Charleston Manual shows and allen screw - is is actually a flat head screw?

After taking down the sail, could you or John tell me how to get the drum out -all I can see are 4 countersunk phillips head screws going through the mast at the top and bottom of the furling line screw. Isn't the sail guide attached to the top of the furling drum - does all that have to come out as well?

John, do you have any more info on what you did. I recall you used some polysytrene and sealant under the screw and drilled a drain hole.

[QUOTE=Peter Taylor;5822]Glen and John

I too have been planning to remove the furling drum on my boat as I wanted to replace the line and also to try and seal the mast as John Reimann did some time back.
I'm not at the boat now but the Charleston Manual shows and allen screw - is is actually a flat head screw?

After taking down the sail, could you or John tell me how to get the drum out -all I can see are 4 countersunk phillips head screws going through the mast at the top and bottom of the furling line screw. Isn't the sail guide attached to the top of the furling drum - does all that have to come out as well?

John, do you have any more info on what you did. I recall you used some polysytrene and sealant under the screw and drilled a drain hole.[/QUOTE]

Peter, it was quite a few years ago, and I don't remember exactly, but it was pretty intuitive. Once you remove those screws, you will see how to remove things. One point upon which I was especially careful: There's some sort of slide (I think it is) that sits on top of the furling drum, or I think that's where it sits. Anyway, you will see that once you remove part of it, there is another part that can slide all the way down to the bottom of the mast if you're not careful. I remember I took a small flat bar (a "Wonder Bar") and put it in there somehow to make sure this didn't happen. There are also one or two shackles to remove. I tied a line to them before removing the pin, again to make sure they didn't drop down to the bottom of the mast. I'll look to see if I have any photos.

On putting a dam below it: I just cut a piece of foam to the rough shape of the inside of the mast and jammed it down in there. Then I cut a piece of plastic to put on top of it. (I think a piece of sheet aluminum would have been better.) Then I ran caulking around the edge. Make sure to have it at an angle so that the water runs to one particular point, slightly above which you can drill a small weep hole.

I think I've attached the photos. Looking at them helps me remember. The second one shows something of the inside of the furling mechanism. If I recall rightly, the tube at the top is the part that is in danger of sliding all the way down the mast if you aren't careful. The first photo shows what I did to prevent that. (I hope these photos come through.)

I think the line you see was attached to a lower part. Anyway, it's all pretty intuitive once you open it all up.

Thanks very much John - I see how you have restrained the sail guide which goes up the mast - I was wondering what had to be done with that. Simply hold it in place.

Many thanks

Peter