Selden Mainsail furler servicing

[joel]

I posted photos of my furler motor on the Hylas FB page.

The motor, with new cables, is back in place.  Getting the shaft to line up with the bottom of the foil was a major PIA, as the holes in the foil were about a 1/4 inch too high.  With some marlin spikes and phillips head screwdrivers we got things lined up enough to thread the bolt through.  then the motor didn't want to sit flush on the mast, but once the machine screws were started we pulled it flush.  Works like a charm, and no grease oozes from the winch handle fitting when you use the winch handle.

New main is due next month.  Can't wait!

[sjd]

Good morning Joel,
I looks like you tried to respond to my post but only the letter "I" seems to have posted.  Would you mind contacting me directly at my email address "sjdonofrio86@gmail.com". I think it may be a lot easier to discuss my questions.
Thanks,
Steve   

[joel]

Steve
I

[sjd]

Hi Joel,
I'm a few months behind you on the servicing of the Seldon motor. What size rig is your motor on? I assume the 46 has a different motor than the 54 but perhaps not.  Mine is on a H54 rig. Did you replace any of the bearings or just seals and belt?
thanks,
Steve

[joel]

We pulled the motor yesterday.  Is the seal for the top shaft the same as the other two?  The one on my unit looks like it just inserts from the outside.

Thanks!

[joel]

Thanks. Jeff Taylor had posted a link to the seals so I bought them on Amazon. It turns out the belt is also available on Amazon as a Gates 425-13

[tday01]

I did this a couple of years ago. All standard industrial bearings and seals. I had the casing powder coated while I was at it.

[joel]

I spoke to the Selden guys at the boat show.  They no longer sell the service kit, and have outsourced all work to Florida Rigging and Hydraulics.

Are the seals standard industrial stuff?  Seems nuts to send the motor to Florida to have $5 seals replaced.

Joel

[brian black]

we were frustrated by Selden's refusal to even talk to customers.  only to riggers. 

[Sailsteady]

Thanks Tony, I will definitely be messaging you for some input when I get ready to service the motor soon.  Right now I've got a nice brown goo oozing out from where the winch handle goes in so I suspect the seals have been compromised and water is mixing with the grease still in the case!  Oh joy!


Best,


Dan

[FORTESEA]

I have Selden mainsail furler motor for sale.
This motor is from Hylas46  and was use in Lake Michigan for 3 Seasons ( total 18 months) was brand new in 2001.

[tday01]

Hi Dan,

I did this early in the year. Happy to answer questions or supply photos. DM with request or if you want to call. Was pretty straight-forward, if a bit messy with the grease on the kitchen table (leading to spousal complaints).

Tony

[Sailsteady]

Great discussion and something that has been on my to-do list since purchasing Nepenthe back in 2018.  She's a 1997 H46 (#16) and has the age-appropriate model of Selden electric mainsail furler.  I've attached a few pics for reference.  I actually started to try and remove the box at one point but then stopped myself short figuring that I may want to do a little research first!  ha.  I did attempt to add some grease using the zerk fitting on the outside, however, most of that quickly leaked out as brown goop around the winch handle fitting.  That seems to be common from what I'm reading, especially if the seals are shot.

I've got most of November to tackle this project and would love to hear from anyone who has serviced this exact model.  Any particular notes about removing it from the mast etc would be most helpful.

As always, thanks in advance for any assistance!

Best,

Dan
SV Nepenthe
1997 H46 #16

[Hermitage]

Wow. Fantastic. Thank you for sharing Guy.

[Windswept]

Thumbs up Guy.... needless to say, pic is worth a thousand words! 

Best
Don
Windswept #028