DISASTER AVERTED
We sailed all the way around the world without having a problem with our Profurl roller furler during an eleven year circumnavigation. The Profurl aluminum extrusions performed flawlessly, and we easily furler and unfurled our headsail hundreds of times around the world.
Little did we know that we were just lucky, fortunate, and blessed.
Why is that?
There are eight round aluminum extrusions in our Profurl unit, and each individual extrusion is joined to the adjacent one by a tough plastic bearing that is held in place by four set screws. Two set screws fixate the upper extrusion, and two set screws fixate the extrusion below. It’s the set screws that keep the extrusions in a proper relationship with each other so they do not separate from each other while sailing.
If the set screws back out, the extrusions will slide up and down on the head stay. If all four set screws back out, the bearing on the inside of the extrusion will drop down inside the hollow extrusion never to be seen again until you remove the head stay from the boat and recover the bearing. In the meantime, you cannot use the headsail safely because the extrusions will not line up properly without the internal bearing in place.
How do we know about this problem?
We have had set screws back partially out on two occasions, and when that happens, you cannot raise or lower the headsail because the backed out set screws prevent the swivel from coming down the extrusion. That happened in the Bahamas, and it happened again in Galapagos.
Our rigger advised us to use White Life Caulk on the set screws to keep them in place. That worked for at least six months, but then the set screws starting backing out again. This time we used red Locktite to keep the set screws in place. Hopefully the red Locktite will do the job. Only time will tell.
Fortunately, it’s easy to tell when the set screws are starting to back out. You simply sight up the extrusion, and if any set screws are coming out, they will appear like little bumps on the extrusion.
During the sail from Galapagos to Mexico, two of the upper set screws nearly backed all the way out, and we could see the extrusions separate several millimeters when were were beating into heavy seas. Just to be safe, we rolled our headsail up a couple of rolls to help support the extrusion and hopefully keep the bearing from dropping down inside the extrusion rendering the headsail unusable.
You can see David coming down the head stay attached to a main halyard and safety halyard inspecting every set screw and applying red Locktite to any set screws that are not secure. We tried to do this repair in Galapagos, but the seas were too rough. Here in La Paz, the seas are flat, and it only took an hour to sort out the set screws on the roller furler.
Which is better for this job? White Life Caulk or red Locktite? I don’t know the answer to that question. But it does not really matter because it’s easy to detect the set screws backing out before they cause a problem. Simply sight up the aluminum extrusion when the sail is out, and you will immediately know if you have some work to do when you get to the next port.
Awesome music video that captures the essence of what it's like to sail offshore in a catamaran around the world when conditions are less than perfect. David Abbott from Too Many Drummers sings the vocals, and he also edited the footage from our Red Sea adventures. This is the theme song from the Red Sea Chronicles.
Sailing up the Red Sea is not for the faint of heart. From the Bab al Mandeb to the Suez Canal, adventures and adversity are in abundance. If you take things too seriously, you just might get the Red Sea Blues.
If you like drum beats, and you like adventure, then have a listen to the Red Sea Chronicles Trailer.
Flying fish assault Exit Only in the middle of the night as we sail through the Arabian Gulf from the Maldives to Oman. And so begins our Red Sea adventures.
Sailing through Pirate Alley between Yemen and Somalia involves calculated risk. It may not be Russian Roulette, but it is a bit of a worry. Follow Team Maxing Out as they navigate through Pirate Alley.
Stopping in Yemen was just what the doctor ordered. We refueled, repaired our alternator, and we made friends with our gracious Yemeni hosts. We also went to Baskins Robbins as a reward for surviving Pirate Alley.
After you survive Pirate Alley, you must sail through the Gate of Sorrows (Bab Al Mandab) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Gate of Sorrows lived up to its name with fifty knots of wind and a sandstorm that pummeled Exit Only for two days. Life is good.
Captain Dave and his family spent eleven years sailing around the world on their Privilege 39 catamaran, Exit Only. During the trip, the crew shot 200 hours of video with professional cameras to show people what it's like to sail on a small boat around the world.
The Red Sea Chronicles is a one hour and twenty-two minute feature film showing their adventures as Exit Only sails through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden and up the Red Sea. The professional footage documents their experiences in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, and the Suez Canal. It chronicles the rigors of traveling in a remote section of the world rarely visited by cruisers. Exit Only dodges Yemeni pirates, fights a gale and sand storms in the Bab al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The crew explores deserted islands on the western shores of the Red Sea, and learns to check the cruising guides for land mines before venturing ashore.
The Red Sea Chronicles also has outstanding Special Features including an Instructional Video on Storm Management that tells sailors how to deal with storms at sea.
And don't forget the two Music Videos: "The Red Sea Blues", and "Captain - Save Our Souls".
The Red Sea Chronicles is a first class adventure that stokes the sailing dreams of both experienced and wannabe sailors alike.
Join Team Maxingout as they sail through Pirate Alley and up the Red Sea
See what it's like to cruise on a catamaran before you spend a bazillion dollars purchasing one
After watching the Red Sea Chronicles you will be able to see yourself sailing on the ocean of your dreams
Although I like the feel of a paper book in my hand, I love trees even more. When people purchase an eBook, they actually save trees and save money as well. Ebooks are less expensive and have no negative impact on the environment. All of Dr. Dave's books are available at Save A Tree Bookstore. Visit the bookstore today and start putting good things into your mind. It's easy to fill your mind with positive things using eBooks. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can pull out your smart phone or tablet and start reading. You can even use electronic highlighters and make annotations in your eBooks just like paper books.
