1 Introduction 1.1 Instructions In order for you to gain the most benefit and enjoyment from your Furlex system, we recommend that you study these instructions thoroughly. The manual is divided into a section for ASSEMBLY and a section for OPERATION. Both sections contain references to the other.
1.2 Product information When Furlex was introduced in 1983, it quickly became the market leader, a position it still occupies today. The first systems sold are still functioning well. Providing ample proof of the design’s effectiveness and long-term staying power. Our success can also be put down to how we select a system for a specific yacht.
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1. Forestay/Eye terminal 10. Lower bearing assembly 2. Top guard 11. Toggle (Fork/fork) 3. Halyard swivel 12. Line guard housing 4. Sail head shackle/Tack shackle 13. Line guard bracket 5. Luff extrusion 14. Line guide fitting 6. Distance tube 15. Wire terminal marked with 7.
ASSEMBLY 2 Check list 2.1 Furlex box: Forestay wire Halyard swivel with head shackle Lower bearing assembly with tack shackle Line guard unit Line guide fitting Lock block...
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Furling line 1 guide leads 508-135, incl. 2 screws and insulating washer Drill bit Ø 5.3 mm 1 stanchion block Prefeeder with rope Locking adhesive Grease Top guard incl. 1 screw Manual ...
2.2 Foil pack 1 x 600 mm extrusion with join sleeve and distance tube 1 x 2000 mm extrusion with distance tube 2–4 x 2400 mm extrusions with distance tube + join sleeve Sail feeder (Sail feeder + sailfeeder connector) ...
3 Assembly preparations 3.1 Forestay attachment – Main rule The guiding principle is that the forestay connections should allow sufficient articulation in all directions. In most cases a toggle should be fitted between the Furlex stay and the forestay attachment. 3.2 Mast attachment - Main principle Some of Seldén’s forestay attachments are shown below, they illustrate rules and exceptions.
3.3.1 Measurement table for lower bearing assembly 3.3.2 Measurement table for upper wire terminal Fig. 3.3.a Fig. 3.3.b Wire dim. Ø 4 ~ 100 Ø 8.2 Ø 120 Ø 5 ~ 100 Ø 10.2 An extended link/toggle does not give the required flexibility. It must always be connected to the boat’s forestay fitting via a toggle.
3.4 Assembly below deck The lower bearing assembly can be mounted in an anchor well below deck. The advantage is that the sail’s luff length is maximized and the access around the forestay is improved. The disadvantage is that routing of the furling line is more complicated, which increases friction when furling and unfurling.
Lower bearing assembly mounted above the deck forestay attachment in the anchor box. For large distances, make a special stay from stain- less strip or rod. Always connect to the boat’s forestay attachment via a fork/fork toggle. Short wire pendants are not recommended since they can distribute the fore- stay forces unevenly due to the different cable strands.
3.6 Calculating the length of the luff extrusion 1. Insert the length of the new wire forestay (WL) as calculated in “Calculation Table 1” in “Calculation Table 2”, in the row marked WL. 2. Calculate the number of full-length extrusions and the length of the top extrusion. Your Example 3.6.1...
4 Assembly of the Furlex-system 4.1 Assembly of the luff extrusion Assembly should be carried out on a horizontal surface. Connect the extrusions after each other starting with the lower bearing assembly. Fig. 4.1.a Fit the long connecting plate (L=80 mm) in the 600 mm extrusion together with the join sleeve and distance tube.
Fig. 4.1.e Push the lower bearing assembly onto the extrusion and assemble the screw through the recess of the extrusion. Tighten the screw so that the extrusion is clamped in place. Push the halyard swivel all the way down to the sail feeder area. Secure it in this position with adhesive tape. Feed the top guard onto the top extrusion and fix it with the prefitted screw.
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Fig. 4.2.d The strands of the wire should protrude approx 2 mm from the wedge. Spread the outer strands of the wire evenly around the wedge. Press the wire/wedge into the fixed part, so that the strands are held in place. Tap lightly on the wire so that the outer strands are wedged firmly in place. NOTE! Make sure there is no strand of the wire in the slot of the wedge! 10.
Assembly of sail feeder: Fig. 4.2.i Fig. 4.2.j Hook the lower edge of the sail feeder in the extrusion and push it up against the joint sleeve. Press the connecting piece on from the front. NOTE, the marking“UP” on the connecting piece. 16.
4.4 Fitting the line guard and line guide fitting Put the line guard over the wire terminal and position the Fig. 4.3.c locking block from the opposite side. Note the “UP” mark on the locking block. Fig. 4.3.d Undo screw a few turns. Fasten the line guide fitting in the line guard and bring up toward the stainless housing.
5 Halyard routing The halyard routing is one of the most important details to take into consideration for correct assembly. The angle between the halyard and forestay should be 5–10°. See fig. 5.4.c. If the angle is less, the halyard may rotate around the extrusion when the sail is furled. Damage may occur to the halyard and luff extrusion.
5.2 Halyard sheave box A sheave box can be fitted in the mast to achieve the 5–10° requirement. A sheave box is easier on the wire and is not worn by it either. The assembly work is more complicated but it eliminates future work involved in replacing halyard lead, as mentioned above.
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For the halyard routing to work properly, the halyard swivel must be in the correct position to achieve the required angle of 5–10° . If the sail does not have the required luff length, this needs to be adjusted. (see “The sail” chap. 7.1). 10°...
6 Arrangement for the furling line 6.1 Functional description When unfurling the sail, the furling line is rolled up on the line drum. It is guided towards the centre of the line drum through the hole in the line guide fitting. The line guide fitting has a stainless ferrule that reduces friction and wear on the line.
6.3 Furling line routing The line shall be lead back to the cockpit using a stanchion block included in the Furlex kit. The stan- chion block is fitted to a guard rail stanchion or pulpit. Assembly instructions, see fig. 6.4.a–6.4.f . Fig.
6.4 Assembly of stanchion block The Furlex kit contains 1 stanchion block for mounting on 25 mm guard rail stanchion or pulpit. The block has a a ball joint and is therefore adjustable in all directions. Fig. 6.4.a Fig. 6.4.b Fit the clamp halves to the block, as illustrated.
7 The sail 7.1 Adapting the sail to the Furlex system To fit the Furlex system, an existing sail may need a number of modifications.. The maximum luff length is calculated as shown in Table 7.1.1 and fig. 7.1.b. FL-(F+E), (existing forestay length as shown in table 3.5.1 –...
7.1.1 Measurement table for sails 50 S Head deduction F Tack deduction E (Any additional toggle or link must be added to E) Cutback CB Internal diameter of luff groove DLG Width of luff groove WLG Fig. 7.1.a Overall extrusion dimensions 22x15 Fig.
Small sails, such as a cruising (working) jib will have a higher clew. This gives better visibility under the sail. It also provides easier passage over the guard rail and less exposure to waves breaking over the foredeck in hard weather. This type of sail often requires less adjustment of the sheeting position when reefed.
OPERATING MANUAL In order for you to gain the most benefit and enjoyment from your Furlex system we recommend that you study these operating instructions thoroughly. All safety-related information is indicated by the following symbol: This information must be followed to avoid damage to the system and the risk of personal injury.
10 Halyard routing 10.1 Summary IMPORTANT POINTS! Halyard routing is one of the most important aspects of system assembly for safe, trouble-free sailing with a jib-furling reefing system. The angle between the halyard and forestay should be 5–10°. See fig. 5.4.b. If the angle ...
10.2 Halyard sheave box A sheave box can also be fitted to the mast to meet the 5–10° requirement. A sheave box will not damage the halyard nor is it worn by it either. Installation is more complicated but the box will eliminate the need to replace halyard leads in the future, as mentioned above.
11 Sailing with Furlex 11.1 Hoisting the sail The forestay must be properly tensioned every time the sail is hoisted. Therefore tension the backstay and any back stays before hoisting the sail. Tension the forestay for hard close-reach sailing before the sail is hoisted. If the sail is hoisted and firmly tensioned before the forestay, it may put excess strain on the halyard, halyard swivel and sail when the forestay is tensioned afterwards.
8. Feed the sail’s luff tape into the groove through the sail feeder. 9. Hoist the sail. The prefeeder assists the luff tape feed by steering the sail towards the luff extru- sion and sail feeder at a small angle. Tension the halyard until a vertical crease appears in the luff of the sail.
11.3 Furling the sail 1. Release the windward sheet and ensure that it can run freely. 2. Furl the sail on the Furlex luff extrusion by pulling on the furling line. Release the leeward sheet. Keep a little tension on the sheet, e.g. by placing a turn around a winch. It is important to furl the sail tightly and evenly.
12 Reefing The size of the working sail area is infinitely variable with a jib furling and reefing system. Even if the sail is designed as a furling sail incorporating foam etc. a reefed sail can never achieve the same efficiency as an unreefed sail of the same size. 12.1 Luff extrusion The Furlex-systems luff extrusion has the same size along its whole length.
Low clew sail High clew sail Fig. 12.4.a The angular variation of the sheet relative to the deck is less for a high-clewed sail. The comparison is based on the same number of furled revolutions. The adjustment is eased considerably if a floating sheet point arrangement is used. The traveller position is adjusted with a line that runs through a block at the front of the track.
15 Maintenance of the Furlex system In order for your Furlex system to rotate easily, year after year, a certain amount of system maintenance is required on a regular basis. Maintenance of the Furlex system is simple, even when the system is rigged on a boat.
15.2 When the Furlex is off the boat Wash and flush the entire Furlex system with freshwater and mild detergent, so that dirt and salt crystals are dispersed. NOTE! Certain washing liquids contain substances that can corrode aluminium. It is therefore impor- tant that you flush away all detergent thoroughly.
16 Rigging The Furlex system is best transported and rigged together with the mast. 16.1 Rigging on a stepped mast 1. Slacken the backstay. 2. Pull the masthead forward using the genoa halyard. Secure the halyard using a “D” shackle or tie it to a strong deck fitting.
16.2 Stepping the mast with Furlex fitted 1. Lay the mast with the front uppermost. 2. Connect the top end of the Furlex system to the forestay attachment. 3. Lift the mast. Let the Furlex system lay on the leading edge of the mast. 4.
17 Dismantling NOTE! Do not dismantle the halyard swivel or lower bearing assembly. It can be difficult to reassemble them correctly. The bearings are uncaged, with loose ball races. Contact your Furlex dealer if you need help with service. 17.1 Halyard swivel The halyard swivel can be removed from the system by removing the top guard and sliding it over the end of the forestay wire.
17.3 Line guide 1. Roll off all the line from the line drum. Note the number of turns for reassembly. Fig. 17.3.a Fig. 17.3.b Loosen the screw a few turns. Loosen the screws completely. Press Remove the line guide fitting downwards. lightly on the casing so that the screws loosen Save the locking block .
1 7 . 4 F o r e s t a y In order to understand the following text, we recommend that you first read the assembly instruction in chap. 4.1. Remove the toggle from the wire terminal. Remove the eye part of the terminal. The thread is locked with locking adhesive.
1 7 . 5 L o w e r b e a r i n g a s s e m b l y Make sure the luff extrusion system is laying straight on a flat surface. Undo the screw and pull off the lower bearing assembly.
18 Trouble shooting Problem Probably cause Action 18.1 ”The sail cannot be unfurled, • The jib halyard is wrapped around the • Ease the halyard slightly and try to roll completely or partially.” luff extrusion. back the system. See the assembly and operating manual, “Halyard routing”, chap 5 &...
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Problem Probably cause Action 18.6 ”The luff cannot be tensioned! • The halyard swivel is contacting the • The sail’s luff is too long. Let a top guard. sailmaker shorten the sail. • The angle between the forestay and • Shorten the sail or move the halyard the halyard is too great.
19 Check list Go through the checklist below and make sure that all the important instructions have been carried out. This will ensure that the Furlex system functions safely and reliably under all conditions. 19.1 Check points before sailing chapter Check that the angle between the halyard and forestay is 5–10°...
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