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OWNER'S MANUAL

Luff tension, line routing, operation, sail fitting, annual maintenance and the full Mk5 spare parts list for the Selden RB and RC in-mast furling mast, plus how to identify an older Mk I–III mast and the earlier manuals.

DocumentSelden Furling Mast RB/RC Owner's Manual
FormatPDF · 18 pages · 4.3 MB
LanguageEnglish
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Owner's ManualPDF · 18 p.Spare parts list RA–RC Mk IIIPDF · 24 p.Older manual (RB Mk 4)PDF · 16 p.Older manual (RB/RC Mk II)PDF · 16 p.Older manual (RB/RC, 2007)PDF · 16 p.Spare parts list (Furlin RB & RC, scanned)PDF · 16 p.
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OverviewLuff TensionLine RoutingOperationHoisting the SailMaintenanceGear PartsTack & Luff PartsSwivel PartsAdditional ItemsOlder MastsProducts
Selden Furling Mast RB/RC — Owner's Manual

The System

The Selden furling mast sets and reefs the mainsail inside the mast. The halyard swivel bearing spreads the load over the whole ball race for low friction under load. The Mk5 gear mechanism is prepared for an electric retrofit.

  • At the masthead: top swivel.
  • Inside the mast: luff extrusion with halyard swivel and sail feeder (reached through the upper access hole).
  • At the gear: line driver with winch handle socket, ratchet controller, tensioning screw and tack hook (reached through the lower access hole).

Sail design: follow Selden instruction 595-542 "Sailmakers guide". An incorrect tack or head causes wrinkles and makes furling difficult.

Checking & Adjusting Luff Extrusion Tension

The luff extrusion is tensioned at the factory. To check before stepping, lay the mast on its side, straight: the extrusion should be just clear of the mast wall at its midpoint. Once stepped, it should not touch the mast wall when pushed by hand. Part of the extrusion rests on the aft face of the sail compartment when sailing.

  1. Remove the access covers: depress one button and push, then lift the opposite end.
  2. Release the locking screw a few turns (counterclockwise) and lift the locking tube to expose the tensioning screw. Secure the tube with tape.
  3. Lubricate the tensioning screw with rigging screw oil. Put a winch handle in the line driver, hold the luff extrusion through an access hole so it cannot rotate, and turn clockwise to tension.
  4. When tension is right, back off counterclockwise until the locking tube flange aligns with the groove in the luff extrusion. Lower the tube and tighten the locking screw. The line driver must be set to "FREE" before turning counterclockwise.
  5. Refit the access covers.

Do not over-tension: an over-tensioned luff extrusion needs more furling effort. Always release backstay tension before adjusting.

Endless Reefing Line

  • Furl and unfurl with an endless reefing line plus an outhaul, from the cockpit or at the mast (outhaul then led to the boom or mast near the gooseneck).
  • From the cockpit: endless loop on a self-tailing winch. Selden recommends ø10 mm polyester rope; leave extra length so the loop comes off the winch easily. Lock both parts of the loop in stoppers.
  • If the line must be fed through blocks and stoppers first, splice it endless afterwards per Selden instruction 595-673. Where blocks and stoppers can be dismantled, a spliced endless line can be used (see Additional Items).

Outhaul

  • A self-tailing winch and a stopper are also recommended for the outhaul line.

Unfurling & Furling

Unfurling (ratchet controller on "FREE")

  1. Free both sides of the endless loop from winch and stopper; it slides on the line driver.
  2. Pull the sail out with the outhaul.

Furling

  1. Keep the leech fairly tight (adjust boom angle with vang or topping lift) so the sail rolls tightly around the luff extrusion.
  2. Put the starboard part of the endless line on the winch and pull by hand, or with a winch handle if needed.
  3. Keep slight tension on the outhaul, especially with the wind abaft the beam or in light air.
  4. Lock the line driver by pulling both parts of the line and close the stoppers. Set the controller to "RATCHET" if leaving the boat.

Reefing

  1. Carefully ease the outhaul.
  2. Pull the starboard part of the endless line (winch if needed), leech fairly tight, slight tension on the outhaul.
  • At the mast: engage the line driver lock before reefing, furl with a winch handle, then tension the foot with the outhaul.
  • From the cockpit: lock both parts of the endless line in stoppers, then tension the outhaul.

Always lock the line driver with the ratchet lever when leaving the boat. Never leave the winch handle in the line driver: it spins very fast when the sail is unfurled.

Fitting the Sail & Before Sailing

  1. Remove the covers (press one button, push, lift the opposite end).
  2. Attach the head of the sail to the swivel shackle and the halyard to the halyard swivel.
  3. Attach the clew to the outhaul car.
  4. Hoist while making sure the sail feeds correctly through the sail feeder into the luff extrusion.
  5. Attach the tack to the tack hook and tighten the halyard.
  6. Furl until only 200–300 mm of the clew is exposed, turning the line driver clockwise.
  • The sail must furl on the starboard side of the luff extrusion: pull the starboard part of the endless line so the line driver turns clockwise.
  • Furl and unfurl a couple of times to check the system and the sail size.
  • Keep the area aft of the mast free of halyards, or the sail can catch them while furling.

Periodic Maintenance

At least once a year. Grease all bearings with Selden grease 312-501 (a tube comes with the mast). A thin, even coat is enough: do not over-grease.

  • Top swivel: inject grease into the hole marked "GREASE", through the sail slot.
  • Halyard swivel: inject grease into the gaps in the ring, best through the upper access hole.
  • Gear: grease the bevel gears and the ball bearing above the large gear (a thin brush helps).

Complete service: after some years, dismantle for thorough cleaning and re-greasing. All screw fastenings have stainless thread inserts.

Removing the Gear

  1. Lay the mast horizontally on trestles.
  2. Slacken the tensioning screw to relieve luff extrusion tension.
  3. Remove the upper plastic plug and the clevis pin to detach the tack assembly. Turn the line driver counterclockwise while holding the luff extrusion until the adaptor clears the shaft.
  4. Undo the two screws and washers and remove the gear. Push the backing plates away and tape them so they cannot fall into the mast. (The gear can be removed with the mast stepped.)
  5. Undo the nuts on top and lift off the headbox; detach the top swivel.
  6. Pull the luff section and halyard swivel out of the mast.

Spare Parts: Furling Gear & Backing Plates (Mk5)

Assembly 543-101-02 for mast extrusion F228/F217; 543-101-01 for all sizes above.

Part No. Description Dimension Fits
543-101 Gear bracket RB/RC All Ask us to source it →
543-102-01 Line driver assembly ø120x115 All Ask us to source it →
540-034 Stripper 58x20 All View part →
543-100-01 Hub assembly ø80x50 All Ask us to source it →
540-057 Controller ø100 All View part →
164-407 Washer M6 All Ask us to source it →
155-621 Screw MRT 6x20 All View part →
166-582 Shaft ø20x213 All Ask us to source it →
320-107 Bevel gear ø84/20-43 All sizes above F228/F217 Ask us to source it →
320-014 Bevel gear ø78/20-43 F228/F217 Ask us to source it →
320-106 Bevel gear ø54x37 All Ask us to source it →
166-857 Spring pin ø8x45 All Ask us to source it →
166-528 Spring pin ø6x40 All Ask us to source it →
306-358 Bearing bush GFM 2023-11 All Ask us to source it →
164-467 Washer ø37/21-1 All Ask us to source it →
539-223 Ball bearing ring outer ø44x8 All Ask us to source it →
540-106 Ball bearing ring inner ø38x8 All Ask us to source it →
539-128 Ball ø8 All Ask us to source it →
543-107-01 Backing plate 48x60 NMP Ask us to source it →
543-106-01 Backing plate 45x60 LMP Ask us to source it →
543-105 Washer 31x12 NMP, LMP Ask us to source it →
162-034 Screw MFT 8x30 NMP, LMP Ask us to source it →

Selden furling mast RB/RC Mk5 furling gear exploded view with item numbers

Spare Parts: Tack, Sail Feeder & Luff Extrusion

Assemblies: tack 543-136-01 (RB) / 543-201-01 (RC); sail feeder 540-154-01 (RB) / 540-233-01 (RC).

Part No. Description Dimension Fits
543-136 Tack tube 30/29-450 RB Ask us to source it →
543-201 Tack tube 38/38-577 RC Ask us to source it →
536-251 Tack hook 38x42 RB Ask us to source it →
536-257 Tack hook 45x90 RC Ask us to source it →
167-004 Pop rivet 6.4x12.7 RB (tack), RC (sail feeder) Ask us to source it →
167-002 Pop rivet 6.4x17.8 RC Ask us to source it →
319-622 Wheel ø90x31.5 RB Ask us to source it →
319-601 Wheel ø100x30 RC Ask us to source it →
301-062 Split pin 3.7x40 RB Ask us to source it →
301-010 Split pin 4x50 RC View part →
543-173 Reinforcement bar 23/20-330 RB Ask us to source it →
540-232 Reinforcement bar 32/25-60 RC Ask us to source it →
167-007 Pop rivet 4.8x9.9 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
319-510 Sealing plug – RB, RC Ask us to source it →
540-135 Adapter 40x65 RB Ask us to source it →
540-228 Adapter 45x78 RC Ask us to source it →
165-211 Clevis pin ø10x40 RB View part →
165-403 Clevis pin ø12x53 RC View part →
165-401 Clevis pin ø12x25 RB View part →
165-402 Clevis pin ø12x33 RC View part →
540-154 Sail feeder tube ø30x378 RB Ask us to source it →
540-233 Sail feeder tube ø38x318 RC Ask us to source it →
540-167 Joining sleeve L=192 RB Ask us to source it →
540-215 Joining sleeve L=212 RC Ask us to source it →
540-133 Tensioning screw body ø23x101 RB Ask us to source it →
540-226 Tensioning screw body ø32x162 RC Ask us to source it →
540-344 Sail feeder ø32x12 RB Ask us to source it →
540-343 Sail feeder ø42x12 RC Ask us to source it →
540-111-01 Luff extrusion w. cover L=7500 RB Ask us to source it →
540-217-01 Luff extrusion w. cover L=7500 RC Ask us to source it →
540-148 Joining sleeve (luff extrusion) L=180 RB Ask us to source it →

Selden furling mast RB/RC Mk5 tack assembly, sail feeder and luff extrusion parts drawing

Spare Parts: Halyard Swivel & Top Swivel

Assemblies: halyard swivel 540-158-01 (RB) / 540-253-01 (RC); top swivel 540-164-01 (RB) / 540-204-01 (RC).

Part No. Description Dimension Fits
539-581 Hub ø52x120 RB Ask us to source it →
539-281 Hub ø62x130 RC View part →
540-159 Sliding sleeve ø64x140 RB Ask us to source it →
540-254 Sliding sleeve ø80x150 RC Ask us to source it →
540-158 Eye ring ø77x140 RB Ask us to source it →
540-253 Eye ring ø92x155 RC Ask us to source it →
540-165 Sliding insert half-stb 52x52 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
540-166 Sliding insert half-port 52x52 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
171-047 Self tapping screw FTS 3.5x9.5 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
166-222 Pin ø10x37 RB View part →
166-223 Pin ø12x42 RC View part →
301-525 Split pin 2.9x32 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
539-272 Ball bearing ring ø68/52 RB View part →
539-270 Ball bearing ring ø83x64 RC View part →
539-034 Ball (60 per swivel) ø6 RB Ask us to source it →
539-128 Ball (54 per halyard swivel; 12 RB / 15 RC per top swivel) ø8 RB, RC Ask us to source it →
164-441 Washer ø62/52-3 RB View part →
164-440 Washer ø74/62-3 RC View part →
164-464 Washer (optional) ø62/52-0.5 RB Ask us to source it →
164-465 Washer (optional) ø74/62-0.5 RC Ask us to source it →
301-508 Circlip ø52 RB Ask us to source it →
301-507 Circlip ø62 RC Ask us to source it →
307-023 Shackle, twisted 13x25 RB View part →
307-025 Shackle, twisted 16x32 RC View part →
306-346 Bush (for top swivel) ø50/40-50 RC Ask us to source it →
167-018 Rivet 4.8x12.7 RC Ask us to source it →
540-164 Top swivel: ball bearing house half ø55x91 RB Ask us to source it →
540-204 Top swivel: ball bearing house half ø66x105 RC Ask us to source it →
540-160 Top swivel: ball bearing eye ø37x53 RB Ask us to source it →
540-207 Top swivel: ball bearing eye ø44x69 RC Ask us to source it →
539-223 Top swivel: ball bearing ring ø44x8 RB Ask us to source it →
539-111 Top swivel: ball bearing ring ø52x8 RC Ask us to source it →
155-807 Screw MRT 5x16 RB View part →
155-621 Screw MRT 6x20 RC View part →
158-004 Nut, Nyloc M5 RB Ask us to source it →
158-005 Nut, Nyloc M6 RC Ask us to source it →

Selden furling mast RB/RC Mk5 halyard swivel exploded view

Selden furling mast RB/RC Mk5 top swivel exploded view

Additional Items

Part No. Description Dimension
312-501 Grease 100g View part →
540-026 Access hole cover 57x126 View part →
319-609 Grease hole cover ø44 View part →
611-011-05 Endless line ø10 2x5000 View part →
611-011-06 Endless line ø10 2x7000 View part →
611-011-07 Endless line ø10 2x9000 View part →

Identifying an Older Furling Mast (RA/RB/RC Mk I–III)

From the RA–RC spare parts list 595-110-E (included as a download). The production number engraved in the section close to the heel also identifies the mast. Early RA masts were made by Kemp Masts Ltd as "Reefin".

Type Mk I Mk II Mk III
RA Luff extrusion not tensioned. Front cover hides centre of black line driver. Ratio 1:1 Tensioned; adjustment screw locked by a ø29 mm Al tube. Front cover hides centre of black line driver. Ratio 1:1 Tensioned; adjustment screw locked by a ø29 mm Al tube. Black/silver line driver fully exposed. Ratio 1:1.75
RB Luff groove ø10, 2 flat surfaces; adjustment screw locked by square locking tube. Swinging tack attachment. Slotted tube sail entry. Silver line driver, ratio 1:1.5. Boom bracket in furling gear Luff groove ø10, 2 flat surfaces; adjustment screw locked by a ø35 mm Al tube. Fixed tack hook. Sail entry milled in luff extrusion. Silver line driver, ratio 1:1.5. Separate boom bracket Luff groove ø8, 1 flat surface; adjustment screw locked by a ø35 mm Al tube. Fixed tack hook. Open groove, no milling. Black/silver line driver, ratio 1:2. Separate boom bracket
RC Adjustment screw locked by square locking tube (st.st). Swinging tack attachment. Slotted tube. Silver line driver, ratio 1:1.5. Boom bracket in furling gear Adjustment screw locked by a ø45 mm Al tube. Fixed tack hook. Milled in luff extrusion. Silver line driver, ratio 1:1.5. Separate boom bracket Adjustment screw locked by a ø45 mm Al tube. Fixed tack hook. Milled in luff extrusion. Black/silver line driver, ratio 1:2. Separate boom bracket
  • 595-110-E: spare parts list for RA, RB and RC Mk III.
  • 595-065-E: manual for type RB Mk 4.
  • 595-063-E: manual for type RB Mk II / RC Mk II.
  • 595-020-E: manual for type RB/RC (2007 edition).
  • 595-050-E: Furlin RB & RC spare parts list (scanned).

Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.

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