This thread is very timely for me since my mast is down right now and my mainsail is at the sailmaker being repaired. It developed a rip near but not at the seam with the Sunbrella—more about that later. 

However, I would like to hear your recommendations about maintenance of the IMF while it’s accessible. What lubricant would you use?  McLube SailKote or something else?

Michael McKay
(630) 209-2054 (m)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 16, 2021, at 9:26 PM, Frank Goldsmith <goldsmith.cf at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> ?Jerry’s post reminds me of a question I meant to ask the group:  is there a proper way of lubricating the black round parts that rotate inside the furling tubes (sorry, I don’t know the nomenclature — bearings?) so that the furling operation is smoother and doesn’t bind, especially the mainsail?  I thought that while mine is apart, I’d see what I could do about that.  Or maybe lubrication is not called for, perhaps just wiping them clean.  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Frank Goldsmith
> s/v Mary Bess (1985/2000 Rhodes 22)
> Lake Keowee, SC
> 
> 
>> On Mar 16, 2021, at 9:17 PM, cjlowe at sssnet.com wrote:
>> 
>> I drop and raise my mast bundle every year, at my dock, on the water. That
>> being said, I dock at a well protected marina, little wind and no waves.
>> If where you dock has similar conditions you should be fine. The first
>> thing is to see if you can maneuver 26 feet of mast from boat to the dock
>> where you have 55 feet of space that is level to hold the mast and remove
>> the furling tube. When working above water, anything dropped is usually
>> forfeited. Your idea of removing the boom and head sail is a good one,
>> that extra weight and bulk is not your friend. Think about replacing the
>> inhaul line while you have it apart. Count the amount of wraps of inhaul
>> line on the furling tube and note the direction of the wrap. Seek the
>> proper lubricant for the bearings and coat them well. Now is a good time
>> to replace lights( anchor, spreader, deck,etc. Check the spreader bushings
>> and bolt and windvane. I'm sure I forgot a few things, maybe others will
>> chime in.
>> 
>> 
>> Jerry Lowe
>> S/V Country Rhodes '86
>> 
>> 
>> George,
>>> I was on a sailing adventure with our R22 in Key West a couple years ago
>>> and had a problem with ripped sail. I made the decision to motor back to
>>> the marina that we had originally launched from and try to repair it
>>> myself
>>> before continuing on (we were attempting to sail to Dry Tortuga). Like Joe
>>> mentioned, I pulled into the slip bow forward and retrieved the mast
>>> crutch
>>> and GB raising system from the truck. I lowered the mast by myself with no
>>> problems and while I could lift the mast and furler myself, it was too
>>> awkward to maneuver off the boat alone.  My better half guided one end
>>> while I carried it onto the dock. Disassembly, repair and reassembly took
>>> place right there in front of the boat. Thankfully, the repair wasn't that
>>> hard and we were able to get back underway the next morning.
>>> 
>>> I tied the jib furler to the main and carried both off at the same time.
>>> I'm going to estimate the mast (in mast furler) and jib together weighed
>>> approximately 120- 140#. That's a very general guess. You mentioned you're
>>> taking your furler down separately so that should make the rig weigh a bit
>>> less.
>>> 
>>> The boat community being what it is, I had no shortage of those willing to
>>> lend a hand at the dock. You should be fine at the dock and not having to
>>> pull your boat out.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Mike
>>> SV Emma B
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Tue, Mar 16, 2021 at 5:35 AM Gmorganflier <gmorgan.flier at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Question for those who might have done this.
>>>> 
>>>> I want to take my sails in for cleaning and repair. I’ve never removed
>>>> my
>>>> sails, so this is going to be all new for me. I have the CDI II furler,
>>>> so
>>>> my plan is to lower and remove my 175 genie with the mast up. I then
>>>> plan
>>>> to
>>>> remove the boom, lower the mast, disconnect the shouds and disconnect
>>>> the
>>>> CDI furler from the mast.
>>>> I have no clue how heavy the mast with the furled main is. Can one
>>>> person
>>>> lift the mast with the furled main or will I need help?
>>>> 
>>>> My boat is on a mooring. There are some logistical problems with pulling
>>>> my
>>>> boat out of the water....the water depth is too shallow at my club’s
>>>> ramp.
>>>> Would I be crazy to attempt this with the boat tied to my club’s dock
>>>> or
>>>> pulled up on the shore?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for any advice on how to best accomplish this.
>>>> 
>>>> George Morgan
>>>> S/V Knotty Lady 1986
>>>> Lake Waccamaw NC
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/ <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/>