New roller furler

[bffatcat]

In 08 I decided to get a roller furl system for my pearson 26w I thought it would save some work After asking around I selected a CDI system The furler has worked well wiith noo problems. The only difficulty with it is hoisting a jib with that internal string it comes with. I have been accustomened to changing jibs if it breezes up At 76 I have problem hoisting a jib. with the CD! In the past hoisting a jib with hanks was an easy matter I have decided to get a new roller furler with a winch and traditional halyard for
easier changes I was thinking about Harken, profurl, schaffer or Hood. Im interested in ease of handling and dependability. All comments would be welcome

 

[Warren Milberg]

I have a Furlex 200 on my boat and I winch up the sail with a winch on the cabin top at the start of the season. I usually switch out for a bigger one about this time of year when the doldrums begin on the Chesapeake. I'm not sure why you would want and/or need to change out headsails when it "breezes up." One of the main advantages of roller furlers is being able to shorten sail when needed by simply rolling up some sail. Are you unable to do that with your current CDI?

I think all of the brands you named, as well as the Furlex, are all of about the same quality. I think the primary difference might be in slight cost differentials and installation ease or difficulty.

Yet while I am happy with my Furlex, everyone one I know with a CDI furler is able to reduce headsail by furling it up to the needed size when the wind pipes up. More importantly, they all love them.

 

[dscribner]

What am I missing? The whole point of roller furler is to virtually eliminate the need for additional jibs, isn't it? I have 150% genoa on mine and that's it for all wind conditions. I'll admit that when the sail is reduced significantly, its effectiveness is reduced as well. The bulk at the luff really messes up the airflow so lift vanishes and heeling pressure is left. But the flexibility that the CDI FF affords me is worth the minor inconvenience.

 

[Merlin Clark]

When I was researching furlers I settled on the Allado as the best for the money. It was something like $100 more than the cheaper plastic ones but is built like the heavy duty, ocean cruising models. Aluminum foils, not plastic, which will work better and last a lot longer but no fun if you trailer your boat.
I haven't bought one because of the other costs associated (sail work, lines, etc, etc) and other life issues getting in the way, instead I led the halyard aft and added a down haul.
http://alado.com/

edit: I should have said $100 more than the heavier duty and less expensive plastic foiled ones, not "cheap plastic". Sorry, not meaning to offend.

 

[justsomeguy]

In 08 I decided to get a roller furl system for my pearson 26w I thought it would save some work After asking around I selected a CDI system The furler has worked well wiith noo problems. The only difficulty with it is hoisting a jib with that internal string it comes with. I have been accustomened to changing jibs if it breezes up At 76 I have problem hoisting a jib. with the CD! In the past hoisting a jib with hanks was an easy matter I have decided to get a new roller furler with a winch and traditional halyard for
easier changes I was thinking about Harken, profurl, schaffer or Hood. Im interested in ease of handling and dependability. All comments would be welcome

I found that my CDI furler has the same issue, so you're not alone. Very difficult to bend on the sail with the mast up. I used a winch mounted on the nose of my trailer initially.

Strangely enough, when the furler is horizontal, the luff slides quite easily...

 

[bffatcat]

reply to dscribner

Ive got a new American made top quality genoa When I bought the jib the maker advised
against partial rolling because of stretch to the cloth and poor shape when partially rolled.
He told me If I wanted to partial roll I would need foam in the luff which I do not have

 

[Prime Time]

I have had both harken and Schaefer. Installed the Schaefer myself. The schaefers are really bullet proof. Either is a serious step up from what you have. Either will last 20 yrs.

 

[bffatcat]

new roller furler continued

I finally settled on a harken The furlex was in contention but the closed drum put moe off it
I could not figure out how to undo a wrap from a closed drum

 

[Warren Milberg]

The Furlex is a quality piece of equipment. I liked the idea of it coming with a new headstay and it was relatively easy to install. I, too, had some concerns with the enclosed drum, but soon learned (1) that clearing a line jam was no problem from the aft end of the drum where the line enters it, and, more importantly (2) I was the cause of the line overwrap by not keeping tension on the furling line when I unfurled the headsail (and loaded the drum). No problems since.

 

[Tim R.]

I would go with the Furlex or the Profurl. Both great equipment. I have had both between a couple different boats. I do like the Profurl a little better as it is easier to maintain. It also has a halyard retainer built in so no need to install one on your mast.

 

[sailaway78]

I have a CDI

I have a CDI, and as others have noted, no need to ever change the sail. I have a 150, and just use it as weather permits. When it's blowing hard, partial furl. No luff foam. I have noticed no appreciable loss of sail shape, or performance, in the 4 years it has been on the boat.