These parts are submitted to thousands of cycles of operations well beyond what could actually be experienced on a sailboat. Nor are any parts welded which affect metalurgical structure and aesthetics. The parts are micro-balled for a perfect surface finish. They are then anodized in a special greengold process most often found on critical aeronautical parts. This is an expensive process but the only method by which we can assure the best protection against the harsh marine enviroment.
Ball bearings are the heart of a reefing-furling system.
Carbon steel is by far the best material by weight to compression load ratios. During the past fifteen years it has been proven that carbon steel has no equivalent. All ball bearings require lubrication to assure smooth operation under the continous sail loads imposed on bearing mechanisms. Stainless steel clips embedded in the seals during moulding provide perfect fit. 2-They prevent water intrusion thereby eliminating any possiblity of corrosion and, more importantly eliminate any possiblitiy of electrolytic attack on the mechanisms internal structure.