Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Interesting. Aside from the outside access drag on the latter 2 versions, the changes seem so slight. The question for me would be; why?
One thing I like on these is the frame: 3-screw stand, double posts on either side, the single top post and the lugs.

Quote from: Gfish on March 27, 2023, 02:08:57 PMThe question for me would be; why?

Hard to say.  Sailfisher was born in the beginning of that fast curve of innovation.  It was a specialty reel for a kind of narrow audience.  I believe Penn figured there was nothing more that could be done for it given the advance of its other models and their potential.  The 349 had made a splash and the "H" Senators were sucking the air out of the rooms.  I mean, really, what could be next for it?  Sailfisher II, 130 HLW?  It makes sense, to me anyway, that Sailfisher had to stand down.  It was as good as it would ever get.  Which is pretty darn good. 

Somebody (Mo?) probably already said, "It's a LB 60 on steroids".  I also believe that if parts were still plentiful, this thing would be rodded-out to insane performance and looks.  It certainly has the bones and stones.  Instead, it's like a ghost. 

What most folks do not realize —-

Martha Henze possibly did more to hold Penn together, business wise, as well as innovation-wise —- with new offerings and products that were extremely successful.

And lest some think that the First Lady of Penn was not a sharp business woman, the head of a company that encouraged innovation and quality products, as well as someone who kept the company going for many decades after Otto's passing —- plus was responsible for more reels we love today coming to fruition.

Read this great, short account —-

And guess what one of her favorite all time personal reels was?  A 130 Sailfisher.  Large line capacity, tough, light, good gear ratio, able to handle large fish, well balanced with no sideways control issues, harness lugs for additional strength.

Best, Fred

Here is a great, short account —-

https://www.pennfishing.com/martha-henze-the-first-lady-of-penn

Quote from: foakes on March 27, 2023, 09:34:24 PMAnd guess what one of her favorite all time personal reels was?  A 130 Sailfisher.

That's a nice write-up with a deserving contributor included. 

Also, you add a notable endorsement for this fishing reel.  I've heard this mentioned before, but it was in an off-hand comment on another subject.  All the more reason to save these from the scrap heap. 

One day these will be much more difficult to find. 

I have a nice condition 130 with internal drag. I've never cracked it open or fished it. It has that very heavy one piece spool , an aluminum spool would be nice and shave a bunch of weight off it. Nice reel, good to know it's capability

Quote from: Swami805 on March 28, 2023, 06:04:51 AMhave a nice condition 130 with internal drag. I've never cracked it open or fished it. It has that very heavy one piece spool

Yep.  Sounds like you have 1st-year plates and the original 3-piece spool was replaced.  The new monofilament line ruined the old spools so Penn changed to a chromed cast bronze or brass one in the second year.  I have a spool that has a sticker on it indicating it's brass.  I don't know when it was made.  Anyhow, the 3-piece spools went away.  If you do find a used one, it very well could be slightly deformed.  If you find a new one, buy it.

Take it apart!  Just be careful with the rings.  They can be tight.  Leave 'em on if you're unsure.  Re-seating tight rings all the way around the plates can be a challenge on this reel.  If they don't seat correctly, the whole geometry is jacked and the reel won't act right.  The reel likes to be square.

The dog spring won't fly off into space because it's secured to a post.  They can pop out a little and get deformed during reassembly. The drag stack probably needs attention.  If original, they're probably leather and have degraded.  You can upgrade or get OEM 130 leather drags real cheap from fishgrain on the bay.  Red fiber washers, too.  He's a member here, I believe.

If you fish it, PLEASE post pictures of it doing what it's built to do.  That would be cool to see. 

I had one, built another with OG's help, and sent a third to Fred. Love these reels.

Quote from: thorhammer on March 28, 2023, 12:49:51 PMI had one,

I'm curious as to what lines would have been spooled on these in the 50s...before monofilament.  I'd like to set one up with the period-correct line types, put it on an old worn rod, and hang it up on driftwood. 

I have enough dull and crusty 130 parts to use for this kind of display.  I need to do something with those parts.

I'd have to think dacron would be the best go, these are old enough they may have even had twisted linen.