Hood in mast Furling

[Ken Page]

Hey all, I know there are not too many in mast furlers in this group but recently had a full failure of my in mast mainsail furler. I first noticed an issue on a passage to St Croix when approaching the island. I went forward to roll out a little reef and felt the gear box skip 2 or 3 times. Woah! After coming in and picking a spot with plenty of room for whatever might befall me, It rolled in without a hitch. Before my next passage, 72 hour to Bequia, I rolled it in and out a couple of times and wondered, did I imagine that? Because of the doubt, I never fully unrolled the main on that passage and actually left about a heavy single reef in and used the motor in lighter winds. Just never felt good about it and of course better less than more getting stuck out. Good thing too, when we fully rolled it out comfortably anchored in Bequia the whole lower adjusting assembly dropped out of the aluminum extrusion. Bolt stripped clear of threads. After hastily stuffing it back together with the sail now trying to pull out the extrusion the next step was to lower the sail to the deck and remove for a better look. The sail dropped about one third and came to HARD stop. We frantically tried to un-jam this but we both agreed (both machinists) it was stopping hard like metal to metal. Only one thing to do, raise the sail and roll her back in. THIS is when the skipping gearbox completely failed. We had to roll that sail in with our fingers and maybe one or two little meshing from the gearbox.
I have the info on the gearbox, they are still manufactured in Massachusetts and I’ve talked with an engineer at the plant. The really tough part of the job will be removing the gooseneck to access it. The aluminum extrusions is another matter. Has anyone had to replace or repair their Hood system and or are these also available for purchase. I’m hoping there is enough material left for ss Heili-coils at the very least. I really LOVE this in mast reefing and I blame this all on a system that has had zero maintenance and is just damn old and used up.

Ken

Taking what comes as I get it, using it all as much as I can and trying hard to leave all the shit behind.

[Discoverie]

Just rebuilt mine this winter. Unit came out without a hitch. Could you send some pix with the problem areas highlighted?  I have the contact info of two guys that worked on the original and the documentation. 

Roger

Attachments:

1. 450331073651096776.p7s

[quent]

Try Rig-rite, Pompanette, Hood spars, Hinckley.  Maybe a used unit at a large yard.  I think there is someone in New England who basically took over service and parts for Stowaway rigs from Hood.  Maybe one of the above can put you in touch.

Quent

[Ken Page]

Thanks guys.

Taking what comes as I get it, using it all as much as I can and trying hard to leave all the shit behind.

[Author]

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