Snapfurl forestay replace?

[wgb135]

I was asked to look at a Schaefer CP-500 mainly to replace the forestay wire which has a perment curl in it at the Mast Head. From what I have read it is almost impossible to crack open the plastic extrusions without permanent damage.
Wondering if I should just recommend new extrusions or Upgrade to better setup
Thanks
Bill

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Is the foil damaged? If not, it is probably possible to cut off the top terminal, tape it non-bulkily to the new wire, and feed in and out, then put a Sta-Lok or the like on the new bottom end. If that fails, it can still be possible to round the tip of the new wire and twirl/push/shake your way in. This is how we do it with other furlers, even those that are relatively easy to disassemble.
Sometimes you have to shorten the top foil, in order to make a Sta-Lok possible. In that case you can thread in from the bottom.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss