Rotostay Furler Instructions

Jib furling

Each ROTOSTAY is made to measure and comprises the following components. Identify and check them before assembly:

• 1.) Rotostay top swivel (with or without mast toggle).
• 2.) Forestay complete with eye terminal, upper swage bearing and…
• 3.) Stud terminal.
• 4.) Rotostay drum with deck toggle.

• 5. Anodized aluminum luff spar.
• 6. Spar links,
• 7. Flexible wire halliard and shackles.
• 8. Halliard tail and shackle.
• 9. Reefing line.

N.B. In some installations the deck toggle may be replaced by a bottle screw and toggle – see Fig. D. 

Lay out all the components.

Pass the forestay, stud terminal first, down through each length of spar starting from the top – Fig. B. insert the spar links over the forestay and into the spar ensuring that the number on the link corresponds to that on the spar. Put in locating screws and tighten up (using Loctite on the threads). Connect the top swivel (1) to the forestay.

Carefully screw the Rotostay drum (4) on t o the stud terminal (3) for approximately 20mm, 

Lightly grease the spar shaft {10 Fig. A) and slide the spar down to the drum, checking that the flat faces of the shaft(10) and the stud terminal (3) are in line.

Connect wire halliard (7) and tail (8) together using-the snap hook. Remove sheave (11) from top swivel and pass wire through. Replace sheave.

Make fast ends of halliard to Rotostay drum (4).

The assembly is now ready for hauling aloft,

This Job should be within the capabilities of the owner who is used to carrying out his own rigging maintenance. It is a two man operation and is best done with the yacht lying alongside a pontoon or jetty.

Assuming the mast is stepped you will need to use three Halliards deployed thus: one to be taken forward to support the mast while the forestay is removed, one for hauling up the Rotostay assembly,
and one for the bosun’s chair (usually the mainsail halliard hauling chair up aft side of mast).

Then proceed as follows:-
Tension down on mast support halliard and then slacken off forestay.
Attach hauling halliard to Rotostay swivel (1) but not to toggle eye as this must be free to connect to mast fitting.
  
Haul up assembly taking care not to scratch or damage the Rotostay drum (4). The spar is quite flexible but should not be bent unduly when hauling as this could result in a fracture.

Go aloft and remove forestay from mast. Connect Rotostay to mast toggle. Lower forestay to deck on hauling halliard. Check that all split pins are opened.

Slacken off backstay(s) and then connect Rotostay drum (4) to stem head Fig.C. The deck toggle must be used.

Re-tension backstay(s). For final forestay adjustment, lift spar from spar shaft (10). Holding stud terminal (3) with spar to prevent it turning, rotate the drum anti -clockwise by hand and tighten down as necessary. (For this operation it is necessary to temporarily remove the halliard ends from theRotostay drum).

Lift the spar above the ‘D-shaped’ nut on the stud terminal. (3) and let the forestay spin out any spring tension that may have been induced during the tightening process. Grease well the stud terminal (3) and spar shaft (10) before sliding the spar back down over the ‘D-shaped’ nut and the spar shaft 
(10). THIS GREASING MUST BE REPEATED REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. 

Using suitable fairleads run the reefing line (9) to the cockpit and make fast to a cleat. N.B. The reefing line (9) must be loaded onto the drum by turning the drum anti -clockwis e (looking from above). I.E. When the reefing line is pulled out the drum turns clockwise.

Fig.C. Feed the headsail luff into the spar entry section and haul up with wire halliard (7). When the sail is hoisted remove the halliard-tail from halliard — end (b) and tension down to Rotostay drum with lanyard (c). To increase tack height above deck, lanyard is removed and the wire halliard (7) is shackled direct to Rotostay drum. 

The sail luff is then tensioned by fitting the lanyard between sail tack and drum.

Fig.D. — Alternative arrangement using bottle screw and toggle to raise drum clear of bulwarks, anchor stowage, etc.

XWRigging Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)23 92513553

Unit 17, Haslar Marina, 
HaslarRoad, GosportPO121NU

Fax : +44 (0)23 92583634 
info@xwriqqinq.co.uk