Asymmetric on a furler

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jonmartin

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Jul 31, 2009
3
Catalina 27 Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham
I am collecting the parts to fly an asymmetric spinnaker with a wire or rope luff from a furler on my Catalina 27. Here is my plan so far: I have a Schaefer single line EC furler, which I will mount on a sprit copied from the Cat 27 tall rig. Plan to use 2 blocks from a crane at masthead: one with a becket attached to the crane, the single attached to the top of the furler. Will run the halyard to the cabin top where I have a winch and cleat. From what I can gather, I will need a lot of tension to furl the sail, but would want to be able to loosen it while flying the sail. I am looking for advice from those who may have used such a set up. I frequently sail by myself. Any better ideas or comments appreciated...Jon Martin in Bellingham



Thanks for all of the comments - I think I am on the right track. I'll forego the 2-1 halyard, and if the luff is not tight enough to get a good furl, I can use the backstay adjuster - should of thought of that first. My plan is to get the sprit designed and installed this year along with the other components, and then have a sail made with a wire luff next winter as my 60th birthday present to myself! Thanks again - Jon
 
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Scotty C-M

Scotty C-M

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Apr 11, 2012
324
Cataina 400 MK II Santa Cruz
A buddy of mine had a similar set-up on his ... Cal 27??.. and it worked really well. He also single handed it a lot. Fast and easy to use.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
I've been thinking the same thing. I took some pictures at the Toronto boat show and picked up some literature. I'll post the pictures when I get a chance.
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
Thinking about doing that on my Bene323. Still not sure whether I have to have any modification done to the sail. I already have both the tack line and the halyard led back to the cockpit. Stock halyard exit point is at the forestay attachment, not a perfect place. I was wondering about connecting the furler drum directly to the tack line and using that to ease or tighten the rig. Might be a little risky to have the drum floating around on the end of the tack line though.
 
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letoile

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Nov 12, 2011
6
Beneteau First 235 #299 Liberty Ed.#22 Midland, Ont.
What would be easier for single handed sailing?

I am also entrigued with the simplicity of the furling system and possibly a solid dose of everything furling on the latest Volvo and current Vende Globe may have spiked my interest...but I'm torn between a furling system and good old shadowing a gennaker with the main to launch and recover . Would you sail with the gennaker furled or lower it when not reaching or running?Thoughts and comments appreciated.
 
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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
The furlers are VERY popular with Code 0 (and to a slightly lesser degree gennakers) because of the on-and-off nature of the sail's use. The use window for these sails is quite narrow, changing drastically with wind speed. Up a few knots and its gotta come down, and unlike with a spin, the wind is usually in FRONT of the beam, which makes dousing a free-flying sail a bitch, as well as setting it. Much easier to roll it up, and be ready to do again if the wind drops a bit or goes aft.

As for top-down furlers with AP asyms, I really don't see the need. For most a sock is almost as easy, and MUCH cheaper. The torsion line alone will cost as much as your sail. Some like them because you can furl them, gybe, and unfurl, but if I see you doing that I'm going to revoke your Man Card.

You can leave them up during the day as you see fit, just not for long times as they have no UV protection. Also make sure to secure the furling line so it cannot accidentally deploy!
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,323
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
jonmartin said:
I am collecting the parts to fly an asymmetric spinnaker with a wire or rope luff from a furler on my Catalina 27. Here is my plan so far: I have a Schaefer single line EC furler, which I will mount on a sprit copied from the Cat 27 tall rig. Plan to use 2 blocks from a crane at masthead: one with a becket attached to the crane, the single attached to the top of the furler. Will run the halyard to the cabin top where I have a winch and cleat. From what I can gather, I will need a lot of tension to furl the sail, but would want to be able to loosen it while flying the sail. I am looking for advice from those who may have used such a set up. I frequently sail by myself. Any better ideas or comments appreciated...Jon Martin in Bellingham
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I don't think you need the extra purchase on the halyard, if you are using the winch on the cabin top. A swivel block on the crane or the halyard is adequate. Besides that will add another 35 feet of halyard in the cockpit...not the mention the possibility of jamming aloft when trying to furl.

Doesn't your furler require a "torque line" sewn into the sail's luff to operate?
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
Here are a couple pictures I took at the Toronto boat show. The first and second photos are the profurl and the third is something else...?
Note the 2nd furler has a control to raise and lower the tack of the sail. It also has a foam thing similar to foam water pipe insulation but kind of 3 sided. It was held some how from the top and came 3/4 way down to allow the tack to raise.
One thing a sails person told me was the line or rope in the center of the furler can't twist or it won't work.
I haven't got a clew ware to stat to search for rope that doesn't twist when spun from one end. Maybe a wire row inside a rope???
 

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Victory

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Jun 22, 2012
39
Catalina 27 std dinette mission bay
finding41 said:
One thing a sails person told me was the line or rope in the center of the furler can't twist or it won't work.
I haven't got a clew ware to stat to search for rope that doesn't twist when spun from one end. Maybe a wire row inside a rope???
Click to expand
It's called a "torque rope"....... if your unit requires a torqe rope then your 2:1 halyard purchase may be the way to go.. but it sounds like you need to learn a bit more in general about continuous line furlers....... here's a pretty comprehensive article: http://www.sailmagazine.com/boatworks/furl-it
 
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