We have a Pearson 28 with a 36.5 luff. Thinking about installing a CDI flexible furler. Can you give me either positive or negative opinions? Thanks
CDI Flexible furler opinions
- Thread starter hobbit
- Start date
- Status
It works very well.
We have a CDI flexible furler with a 115% genoa that was on our Hunter 22 when we purchased the boat and so far have been very pleased with it. But then again, it is also the first and only flexible furler whit which we have experienced.
We have a CDI flexible furler with a 115% genoa that was on our Hunter 22 when we purchased the boat and so far have been very pleased with it. But then again, it is also the first and only flexible furler whit which we have experienced.
Back in 1997, I installed a CDI on my first boat, a 1981 H27. I installed a FF6 model with the optional ball bearings. Initially I thought the luff was going to be too big and heavy. But after many years of day sailing and cruising use I was pleased with its performance. My father-in-law liked it so much he installed one on his Morgan 33.
There are lots of furlers out there, but I still think for general sailing its a great investment costwise. If you are really in to racing, there are other furlers more suited to performance but with higher investment costs.
There are lots of furlers out there, but I still think for general sailing its a great investment costwise. If you are really in to racing, there are other furlers more suited to performance but with higher investment costs.
When I looked @ the instructions I was concerned about not being able to get enough halyard tension to take the slack out of the headstay and consequently hurting windward performance. Would appreciate your comments
I am generally pleased but...
I trailer the boat so I need a flexible. I am happy with the puchase of the CDI. I have a FF2 and a 150 genoa on my mac 26S. I have a foam luff pad and I do use the furler as a reefer. It works well for me but I am by no means a performance sailor. I do not have ball bearings and believe that was the right choice because I've had no problems in that regard. I think if I had bought a 135 genoa I would have been better off. There is not enough room in the drum to consistently furl the 150 all the way out. If I carefully work the tension of the furling line while letting the sail out it will all fit but just barely and not every time. I find myself letting it out and pulling it in several times each time I deploy the sail. I am considering decoring a portion of the furling line but I'm still not sure if this will be the right move. I have had no problems pulling the sail in so from a safety standpoint I feel very good about being able to douse the sail quickly.
I trailer the boat so I need a flexible. I am happy with the puchase of the CDI. I have a FF2 and a 150 genoa on my mac 26S. I have a foam luff pad and I do use the furler as a reefer. It works well for me but I am by no means a performance sailor. I do not have ball bearings and believe that was the right choice because I've had no problems in that regard. I think if I had bought a 135 genoa I would have been better off. There is not enough room in the drum to consistently furl the 150 all the way out. If I carefully work the tension of the furling line while letting the sail out it will all fit but just barely and not every time. I find myself letting it out and pulling it in several times each time I deploy the sail. I am considering decoring a portion of the furling line but I'm still not sure if this will be the right move. I have had no problems pulling the sail in so from a safety standpoint I feel very good about being able to douse the sail quickly.
We got rid of our FF on our Hunter Vision 36. We did NOT have the ball bearing model.
We purchased a Spin Tec unit. Much higher quality and a life time warranty.
We purchased a Spin Tec unit. Much higher quality and a life time warranty.
Have a CDI on my 26S as well; PO installed it. I like it and have had no problem with it. Since it is the only one I've used, I can't compare it to any other brand. Mine works fine, and I'm glad its there. -Paul
I have heard this complaint before and wondered why one does not just use a smaller diameter line to address it.
I have heard about this one before also and it is a going concern among some CDI owners.
I have addressed both these concerns by going with the flexible Schaefer Snapfurl CF700. It costs a bit more but it does have a larger drum for the furling line, I am able to put several wraps around mine before I even begin to start furling in the sail (even with the 150 genoa). The Snapfurler does not have an internal halyard but instead makes use of the existing jib halyard so one can pull the luff of the sail very taught and maintain the tension. I also have the ability to change from jib to genoa easily with this unit, similar to hank-on versatility. From what I have seen comparing my Schaefer to various CDI units in our MacGregor club I have to conclude that the Schaefer is a superior sytem.
Since you have not made the purchase yet, have a look at the Schaefer unit to see if it better suits your needs. I got mine at Trotac Marine for $750.00, a good price.
Halyard Tension / Headstay Tension
I work at a Macgregor dealer and fit out these boats with CDI furlers.
Halyard tension has no bearing on headstay tension! They are independent of each other.
I think the CDI is a good, cheap furler. You get what you pay for, and for the price is good. The only drawback is that you can't adjust luff tension easily while sailing in order to move the draft position as the wind speed changes.
sam
I work at a Macgregor dealer and fit out these boats with CDI furlers.
Halyard tension has no bearing on headstay tension! They are independent of each other.
I think the CDI is a good, cheap furler. You get what you pay for, and for the price is good. The only drawback is that you can't adjust luff tension easily while sailing in order to move the draft position as the wind speed changes.
sam
I have the CDI, and you have a legit concern. The internal halyard of the CDI is a double-edged sword: it eliminates the threat of halyard wrap (the true bane of roller furlers), but at the same time, makes it very inconvenient to adjust halyard tension. For me, the tradeoff makes it a slam dunk winner, but other more performance oriented sailors may make a different choice. If you can adjust forestay tension adequately from the backstay, then the CDI may still be a good choice even if you race.
I wasn't all that fond of mine, but others have resolved the issue I had. My problem was it is a pain to raise the sail due to the small stuff the CDI uses as an integral halyard as well as the angle...picture yourself trying to pull down towards the bow of the boat at a mechanical disadvantage due to the angle and the 1/4 inch line and you'll get the picture. Now add some wind blowing the sail around, some rain and a pissed off Wife.
Others, smarter than me apparently, ran a thicker line through a block to the integral halyard and had no problems.
I also had a lot of vibration in the flexible foil under certain conditions. This may be normal for a flexible foil, which will have a natural vibrational frequency, or due to lousy mast tuning.
If I had to trailer a boat, I'd buy a CDI, but if not and I was looking to save money I'd call around (on the phone Pompanette offered me a Hood Seafurl 5 for $1200) or perhaps try the little known Alado for money similar to the CDI. The have a video on their site and installation seems intuitive and easy with fixed foils that slide together.
Others, smarter than me apparently, ran a thicker line through a block to the integral halyard and had no problems.
I also had a lot of vibration in the flexible foil under certain conditions. This may be normal for a flexible foil, which will have a natural vibrational frequency, or due to lousy mast tuning.
If I had to trailer a boat, I'd buy a CDI, but if not and I was looking to save money I'd call around (on the phone Pompanette offered me a Hood Seafurl 5 for $1200) or perhaps try the little known Alado for money similar to the CDI. The have a video on their site and installation seems intuitive and easy with fixed foils that slide together.
Performance
If you are one of those who want and expect the utmost in performance, all the time, pass on the CDI. If however, you cruise, and don't much care about the last 1/4 of a knot or so, then the CDI will do fine. I have one on a 37, fly a 170 on it, and have had no problems. With one exception, when I got caught in a big thunderstorm, and a wave got to the sail which was rolled up about 2/3. Broke the furling line. Other than that, not a single problem. Price is pretty good, so if not totally performance oriented, will do you fine.
If you are one of those who want and expect the utmost in performance, all the time, pass on the CDI. If however, you cruise, and don't much care about the last 1/4 of a knot or so, then the CDI will do fine. I have one on a 37, fly a 170 on it, and have had no problems. With one exception, when I got caught in a big thunderstorm, and a wave got to the sail which was rolled up about 2/3. Broke the furling line. Other than that, not a single problem. Price is pretty good, so if not totally performance oriented, will do you fine.
While I do not care for the internal halyard system used by CDI to raise/lower a headsail, a friend of mine with the same H28.5 as mine has a new CDI FF7 with ball bearings that seems to work effortlessly. While I do not think that CDIs are of the same quality as the big name brands (Harken, Profurl, Schaeffer, Furlex, etc), you could buy 2 or 3 CDIs for what one of those brands cost.... Something to consider.
Sail changes
What remodeling has to be done to a Jib or Genoa to install the CDI Flexible furler?
What remodeling has to be done to a Jib or Genoa to install the CDI Flexible furler?
The CDI unit is great for smaller boats, but not robustly enough constructed for larger ones. I'd highly recommend going with a different unit for any boat greater than 26' LOA.
- Status