North Sail Furler E28 drum wire purpose?

[montrosesal]

Hi. Just purchased a 1989 E28 in Chicago and can't wait to get on the water! This will be my first boat with roller furling and it has a North Sail furler (harken?) that has a wire lead with a triangle shaped shackle-like thing coming out of the top of the drum just below the foil. Can't figure out what it's for. Haven't put on sails yet but hoping someone here could help. Picture is below- at present the triangle is shackled to the main tack shackle. Thanks for any help.Jim

 

[montrosesal]

Furler picture - now attzached

Note the circled area - line coming out of top of furler

 

[Mort Fligelman]

Thingy on the Furler

That my friend is a PRE-FEEDER.......you pull your luff tape through it before putting the tape in the headfoil....the pre-feeder will keep the tape at the proper angle to avoid jamming.

A very handy and many times overlooked small piece of equipment.....

Hope this answers your question

Regards

 

[montrosesal]

Thanks so much Mort!

Jim