Hood Furler overhaul
 

The 30 year old Hood Seafurl2 on our boat spit its lower bearings all over the deck, luckily just as we got the jib rolled up. I purchased the replacement stainless bearings and races from Hood/Pompanette, and now need to start planning the disassembly and replacement . Any general words of wisdom?

Do you think it would be a lot easier if I dropped the whole Headstay/foil? I'm thinking gentle applications of heat, ice, PB Blaster and impact driver for any reluctant fasteners...sound right?

Assuming I get everything disassembled, what's the best way to keep the bearings in the races during assembly? I was thinking something like white grease, and then washing it out by spraying WD-40 in there once it's all put together (the original literature specifically suggests WD-40 as the preferred lubricant, and Pompanette said it still holds true).

If this doesn't work I'll be facing purchase of a new furler for an old boat :-( BTW, the boat is in the Exumas in the Bahamas, so there's no rigger in the neighborhood. Thanks for any help, suggestions or guidance!

OK, so I'm answering out of real world ignorance. That is to say, I read a book once...

Personally, I'd start with the PB Blaster. Maybe a day or two before I started the project. But I'm basing that on experience with other things, not Hood furlers.

Instead of white lithium grease to hold in the balls, I'd give it a go with shaving cream first. I know that will rinse out easily. And even if that doesn't work, Barbasol is cheap.

Just some random thoughts. Hope this helps.

Furler
 

Hi,
I'm with Don on the shaving cream option. Works a charm. Are these all steel ball bearings? If so, Zero is a much better lubricant. If not, use One-Drop.
I hope you do not drop the foil, but I would definitely recommend lowering it to do the work, assuming you can set up a good temporary stay; halyards taken forward do not count.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Thanks for the shaving cream tip, that sounds like a better idea.