By Bob Bierly

BACKGROUND: Recently on the Catalina Yahoo web site, there was some discussion about the 3100 Schaeffer genoa furler that many of us have as factory equipment.  My furler on C’mon Wind (Hull #255 vintage 2000) had been getting increasingly harder to turn over the last three years.  When new, it was wonderful never requiring more than a modest effort to unfurl or furl the 155% genoa. I never used a winch.  But age had its way with the furler and after several attempts at freeing up the lower bearing assembly, I recently gave up. [Editor’s Note – Remember never to lubricate the Torlon bearings with lubricating sprays, etc.  Just flush with fresh water – Steve]   I called Schaeffer Marine inNew BedfordMA (508-995-9511) and talked with Dave Anderson.  He told me that Schaeffer had re-engineered the lower bearing unit into a single piece. So for $110,