Hi Pat,

before you start any disassembly try this. Lower the sail and flush the swivel with copious quantities of fresh water. Despite the fact it is at the top of the mast it will have salt in it and this is a common cause of the symptoms you have. As to the manual mizzen furler gear box mine was getting so tight I feared causing damage while turning the winch handle.. I took the fiber collar off the input shaft and squirted fresh water in vigorously. I then did the same to the gearbox top and bottom.  I left the gearbox and the swivel to dry out on a sunny day and then sprayed both with silicon. Now the mizzen launches with a tug on the out haul line. No turning of the gearbox by hand the sail goes out brrrrrrrrt. The swivels on the main and head sail need the same treatment. Because they are operated electrically we are not so aware of the friction. Breakers popping during operation can be a symptom, as is the foil on the mainsail fracturing. Likewise bending of the horns on the headsail furler although there are other causes for that as well.

Kind Regards

Danny

SM 299

Ocean Pearl