Anyone use the old Schaefer furler?

[kito]

My H30 came with a schaefer furler. The kind thats a non reefing type....all or nothing. I would like to hear any pros or cons of this setup. Seems to me it would be hard to get enough tension on the sail cable in the luff by just cranking on it's halyard. Just debating on whether to start saving up for a new furler and headsail . The boat is on the hard with mast down and I have never had her in the water to be able to mess with the furler.

 

[Brian S]

My little O'day 192 had Schaefer wire luff furling. It was a pretty bad system. Since the boat came with a newer hank-on jib, I have been using it with a downhaul like, and I like it better. I still would like to have a 135% genoa on a reefing furler, and reinforcement points on the sail, along with foam luff and jib sock. But, that's also about 3K for Schaefer SnapFurl and new headsail, plus I'd have to lay genoa track on the side deck, and I don't really want to do that yet.

 

[joe-fran]

Back about 30-35 years ago I had a 69 Bristol 27 with the Schaefer furler. It was not very good. It was a very early version of a furling system and was quickly passed by with better designs. As I recall you could never get it tight enough for upwind performance. And you had to have an internal wire halyard sewed into the sail. I think your problem will be if you want to upgrade to a modern system, your sails are not compatible. They will either need to be replaced or have new luff tape added.
PS I hope my memory is correct here

Joe

 

[kito]

That's what I was affraid of, not getting enough tension on the luff cable for proper sail shape. Looks like a search for a good used furler and genoa is in my future. Sounds like a hank on with downhaul would be better than my schaefer system. It will be mostly just me and the Admiral and she would much prefer a furler. I guess the only upside of the schaefer would be that it can easily be dropped and coiled on the deck to raise a hank on storm jib etc.

 

[Prime Time]

You can't point well with this furler for the reasons mentioned. It does allow you to furl the sail quickly when short handed.