Your engine has been serviced, the dinghy outboard has been serviced, the sails have been serviced, Now what about the really important items… the deck gear?
A pawl in time . .
It’s essential to service your winches. Servicing not only makes them last longer, it also makes them easier to use. AND if pawls stick or springs break, the winch can reverse which can be painful and dangerous, let alone ruin a day’s sailing. We keep spares kits in stock. Or, if you are not happy having a go yourself, let RigMagic do it for you.
Blocks and travellers
Give your blocks and travellers a wash with fresh water to get rid of salt water crystals. And lubricate your clutches with silicon or Teflon spray. RigMagic recommends Harken’s McLube as a spray lubricant. (In stock). It may save some sweat if you spray your mainsail track and sail slides to keep everything running smoothly.
Lead the way
When you are hoisting your sails, check the halyard lead on your furling system. Watch that it is not trying to follow the swivel around the forestay. If the halyard is not routed correctly, it can cause halyard wrap which, in turn, may severely damage your forestay and put the entire rig at risk. It is easier to deal with in the marina than at sea and in extremes will break your forestay.
If you have a halyard deflector/lead – make sure that it is still there and in good order.
Halyard wrap is by far the most common problem with headsail reefing that we are called out to.
Pictured left: If the halyard lead is wrong, it could lead to halyard wrap.
Keeping your furling system running smoothly
Check your handbook to see what servicing you need to carry out on your furling system. For instance, if you have Selden’s Furlex system, it will need greasing and servicing as per the manual. If it’s Harken, it will just need a fresh water wash. We keep the Furlex grease in stock.