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What is this and what's wrong?

Have no idea what its purpose is, but the pitting and the bolt backing out without its nut (or is that other bolt missing?) makes me hope it's not a critical piece of componentry, especially with that gap at the base where it looks like there might be some bearings.

So, what is it?
 
Reckon it is a Harken furler with a missing retainer bolt. Remove the other and see how well the furler works. Been there...

Carry spare bolts and we run a piece of electrical tape around and over the bolts to ensure they don't back out again.
 
Yep, Justin got it. Welcome back Cotter...I mean Carliane. (Great video clip - post it here!)

With SHF coming up, I decided to check the torque tube screws in the furler. They had been tight with a couple layers of black tape wrapped around the tube, and I noticed the tape was getting loose. How one screw backed out and escaped under the tape is a mystery and a second was clearly on its way. No screws, no rollie-rollie. The scaly stuff is just glue from the tape, and more screws are on order.

Lost screws from Harken furlers is the stuff of stories around here - so check those screws!
 
Silicone "Rescue Tape" (as sold at the boat shows and at Whale Point Hardware) works even better. Self amalgimating, tougher than electrical tape, and no sticky residue.
 
Dazzler said:
Silicone "Rescue Tape" (as sold at the boat shows and at Whale Point Hardware) works even better. Self amalgimating, tougher than electrical tape, and no sticky residue.
Click to expand...

Personally, I'm a fan of Gorilla tape for stick-to-it-ness though I love Rescue Tape for areas where you want a cleaner appearance because, as we all know, it's really all about how pretty the boat looks :) And Loctite for those bolts, just to be safe!

I'm planning to put together a highlight reel of Tubbataha Reef. AMAZING place. Hope to post that soon!
 
I had to buy a pack of 100 at McMaster-Carr (I love that place!)

If anyone needs Harken furler screws, just let me know. (Free)
 
So I just got a used furler and am trying to check for the loose screws before installing it, but I can't quite figure out the picture. Is this a mkIV furler?
 
I think it's a Mk III drum - I replaced it about 10 years ago and can't remember. The photo of your furler on FB looked like a newer design so maybe there are no screws into the torque tube - it was actually a weakness in the earlier design. That said, I have 100 screws and only need one so if you do need them, don't buy any.

Do you want to hoist that #4 to look at? If so I'll leave it in your cockpit. (I'm not pushing to sell it - it's just to help you out.)
 
Thanks Bob, I would like to try the #4 but no rush, it will be a little while before I get the furler installed. I've been going through the old sail pile in my garage, the original tuff-luff had the right luff tape and I have a promising dacron sail but it would need modification too (full battens!)
 
Do you know about Duralac......sort of a lock tight for aerospace industry.....stupidly expensive but the only fitting that shook loose from Ventus was one that I had missed putting this stuff on. Anticorrosive as well......I am always concerned about what gets trapped under tape in terms of accelerating corrosion.......
 
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