How to change my mainsail furling line

[sailorsab]

I have a 1994 Catalina Morgan 38cc. The Z-Spar furling mast is the older model which doesn't seem to allow the easy partial removal of the furling drum. Can anyone tell me how to remove and replace the mainsail furling line on this 1994 vintage Z-Spar? I see one small access plate that shows where the top wind of the line goes into a hole in the drum. Next to that are two hex screws. I assume those screws are pulling a clamp that is hidden inside the drum that is holding the line in place, however, I am reluctant to loosen these screws without someone telling me that is the way to do it.

 

[Van Jones]

I have a 1994 Catalina Morgan 38cc. The Z-Spar furling mast is the older model which doesn't seem to allow the easy partial removal of the furling drum. Can anyone tell me how to remove and replace the mainsail furling line on this 1994 vintage Z-Spar? I see one small access plate that shows where the top wind of the line goes into a hole in the drum. Next to that are two hex screws. I assume those screws are pulling a clamp that is hidden inside the drum that is holding the line in place, however, I am reluctant to loosen these screws without someone telling me that is the way to do it.

Unfurl main to limit, Remove screw holding bottom of mainsail near furling rod. Remove sail & unwind furling rope. There is knot that will have to be cut to replace rope(sheet). Not easy to do but I did it last year on my 1995 38 cc

 

[sailorsab]

Unfurl main to limit, Remove screw holding bottom of mainsail near furling rod. Remove sail & unwind furling rope. There is knot that will have to be cut to replace rope(sheet). Not easy to do but I did it last year on my 1995 38 cc

I haven't found a knot yet. I think the two 5mm hex bolts are pulling a clamp on the line that is terminated inside the drum. I just see the top wind of the line disappearing into a hole in the drum and then these two bolts straddling the line after it enters the drum. I just wish I knew for sure that loosening those bolts will allow me to pull out the line and that I can successfully install a new line and use those bolts to clamp successfully the line. Otherwise I may be without a mainsail for a while. What I really wish I had a was a drawing of the inside of the drum showing a clamp.

I am trying to upload pictures but I keep getting a server error. I have even tried reducing the resolution to make a smaller file.