schaffer 2100 furling system

[Jeff Kaplan]

This is just an fyi. The PO had a Schafer 2100 system installed in '01. The system has worked great until a few weeks ago, when unfurling and furling required Hercules to be on board. I got my rigger, Kevin from NE Rigging, to come on to inspect. He said the lower drum was hanging up and called Schafer, right here in New Bedford,Ma. Schafer told him there was a problem starting to arise on pre '04 systems because of a lack of a flush hole on these models, which caused the bearings and race to get full of corrosion, salt, ect.,and would replace the part for $130-. Part replaced yesterday and now the system works like new. So, anyone with a pre '04 system, beware, there is a problem, but it is an easy, and not too expensive, fix...Jeff

[Ken Juul]

We had a Schaffer rep speak at a Rendezvous a couple of years ago.  He mentioned the problem with the furlers and did say that they added a rinsing hole to the bearing drum. 

Jeff, do you still have the old bearing?  Can you compare the new and old.  Do you think it is possible to just carefully drill a rinsing hole in existing bearings?

Picture of new lower bearing.

[Jeff Kaplan]

Ken, the rigger took the old part, maybe Schafer wanted it back. If you plan to drill a flush hole, it looks like you would have to take the lower drum off the fore stay, remove the roller bearing unit, and drill a, looked like, 7/16 hole. If you plan to drill without removal, you will probably hit a roller bearing or race and do more damage than leaving it alone. The flush hole is located at the top of the unit between the 4 screw holes. If you are having trouble as I did, contact Schafer at 508-995-9511 and see what they can do for you...Jeff

[Jim Hardesty]

Here is the response from Schaffer to my email.
I guess that because I don't have salt water or a hot climate.  That this isn't an issue to me.


Hello James,

The problem with the lower drum bearing housing is because if the salt water sits in a hot climate and is never flushed out then the corrosion will seize the drum.  We have always recommended to hose out the drum from the bottom, but since most people don't do that, we have now added flushing holes along the side of the drum.  Periodic inspection of  your turnbuckle and re-tuning your headstay is a prudent thing to do on a yearly basis, along with flushing the bearing on a regular basis.  If you start to notice that the drum is harder to turn, then take it off and soak in very hot, sudsy water. 

I hope this information help, let me know if you have any questions.

Joy

[Jeff Kaplan]

Jim, because of the response you got back via e-mail, that is why I find it easier to call customer service and discuss the problem, than type back and forth. Seems you get better answers on the phone, assuming someone will talk to you...Jeff