Selden Mainsail furler servicing

[jt11791]

I just rebuilt the mainsail furler gearbox on my 54.  The shaft seals had failed allowing water intrusion and bearing destruction.   I removed the gearbox with electric motor from the mast and completely disassembled it at home.  New tapered roller bearing and shaft seals went in and now it is all back together.  Total cost was about $150 for the parts, which are widely available standard industrial parts.  All you  need is the part number or sizes which are:

Timken (or cheaper knockoffs) Tapered roller bearings #32007X  (four required)
Shaft oil seals 32mm x 47mm x 7mm  (three required)

It's not a difficult job if you are mechanically inclined.  Please feel free to contact me if you need more details on the procedure.

[tulsag]

Crossing the Atlantic from Bermuda to the Azores in 2014 in our Hylas '54 the in-mast furler started working intermittently and then it failed completely 10 days later after lots of use.  The tech in the Azores removed the motor in about an hour.  On the deck, he opened the motor housing and we could clearly see 2 of the 3 'brushes' (magnets) were in chunks and disintegrating into powder.  Being in the Azores, we could not wait for new magnets so he cut new ones to match the existing one and installed them in the motor that day.  Motor was STRONGER THAN EVER instantly.  It's been 5 years and the simple fix is still working like new.  I contacted Selden about buying a set of spare magnets but they said they only do complete refits (see others comments about the cost of that option) and don't sell 'brushes' alone.  Replacing the magnets in the Azores cost approximately $400.  I'd try that if your in-mast furler is acting up.

Mark Powell
s/v TARA
Hylas '54

[Caregg]

A few years ago I had the main in the mast electrical sail furler on my year 2000 Hylas 46 #31 serviced with a new motor (Selden, 532-422 Electric Motor 12V $940.80); new belt; repainted; cleaned and lubricated for a total of $1914.42 by M Yachts Services in Annapolis, MD.  The mast was not removed in the process.  I'm pretty sure I saw something on the web somewhere that talked about how to remove the furler without removing the mast.

The work was done over the winter when the boat was stored a Bert Jabin's yard.  Miles Poor of MRP Yacht Management services organized and oversaw the process when I was on the west coast. 
The problem I was having was that every so often the furler would stop working.  If I manually turned it a bit it would work again for a while.  Since then I have not had any problems.  I've even furled a couple of times in winds over 45 knots.  If I thought I'd have a chance to go cruising I'd buy the Fortesea furler for a spare.

[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.
In 2003 I lost the mast and the new mast came with the motor  inside.

[Moonlight]

Wow!  I guess I better take care of that motor.  I have the old style also and don't know if it's ever been in for servicing.  I might have to take a peek inside before I send it. 

Jack
Moonlight
49 #31

[steve herlong]

My invoice for a total and complete rebuild of my older style unit cost me $3,200.
Steve

[christy]

Not sure what they charge for a service but when I bought Christy the main furler motor was not working, checked everything and deduced it was the motor ... Sent back to selden for repair and was advised beyond repair .. New motor was £ 6,500.00 (USD $ 10,000.00) for a new motor .. Ouch !

Will be getting the new motor serviced when recommended ...

Tony

[Moonlight]

What does Selden charge for reconditioning a main furler?  I can't imagine there's much in there.  Motor brushes,  bearings or bushings and clean and grease gears. 

Jack Price
Moonlight 49

[bluepearl]

I returned my unit to Selden for servicing after 4 years and it needed it. This is the same unit that Alora commented on two posts ago. This unit will now have been serviced twice since 2006.

[steve herlong]

I have a H49 - 28 (Rise) and have the old style Selden furler mounted outside of the mast.  My unit was likely never sent back for reconditioning either, and I always noticed that furling was difficult.  I even bought a new mainsail but that didn't solve the problem.  Then on a seasonal trip to Bahamas the furler motor froze as I left Charleston Harbor so I was manually furling for 2 months.  So do have those units serviced!

Selden has a facility in my hometown of Charleston but they required that I go thru a local sailmaker or rigger as they would only work directly with a company.   It took two full months to have the unit rebuilt because I had an older style unit - was the reason they gave us.  Hard to believe but true.

It was rather difficult to reinstall the unit so there is likely a good reason they asked to work with a rigger and not with the boat owner directly.

Good luck!  Steve

[Alora]

we removed and sent unit to Selden for servicing about six years in.  Really needed it!

[brian black]

since you haven't received any feedback, I'll offer up my 2 cents.  YRMV.  the in-mast furlers, electric and manual, seem to present maintenance challenges.  with the manual units, it is possible to pull out the drive unit and service it in a reasonable way.  you don't have to pull the mast, and some information was available from Selden.  I found very limited information available on the electric drives.  there seem to be many parts that are only available, and perhaps serviceable, from/by Selden.  but further, to service the rest of the in-mast bits, i.e. the foil, bearings, etc.,  I think it's necessary to pull the mast in order to work on 'em.  they seem to be pretty reliable, but I think a thorough check and service is a good idea, before you leave the first world. 

[Hobiehobie]

The specs for the electric Selden Main furler on my H54 #50 (Genevieve) call for a factory reconditioning after 5 years of use.  Mine is at 9 years and has never been serviced.  This winter season, I intended to remove the furler motor and return it to Selden, but on looking at the mechanism and the complex junction box at the base of the mast, I had no idea how to proceed! so I let it be.  But it is nagging me. I need to do it to make sure we have a rock solid main furling motor.  Can anyone offer practical advice on how to get the mechanism disconnected and removed from the mast?  Or should I get a rigger/electrician to do it?