I called a sail loft and they had bad things to say about CDI roller furling units. Has anyone else had bad experiences with them? What happened?
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Peter
CDI
I've heard not so good things about CDI myself....but I've got a CDI on my c27 and I'm happy with it. It's from 1986 and needs only a splash of hot water every season to clean off salt. And, it's guaranteed for life. The only bad things that I can quickly think of are: more difficult and time consuming to change sails, and doesn't reef as well as other units (but mine is almost 17 years old). Neither is a problem for me. There's alot of discussion in the archives about CDI units also, suggest you do a search.
I've heard not so good things about CDI myself....but I've got a CDI on my c27 and I'm happy with it. It's from 1986 and needs only a splash of hot water every season to clean off salt. And, it's guaranteed for life. The only bad things that I can quickly think of are: more difficult and time consuming to change sails, and doesn't reef as well as other units (but mine is almost 17 years old). Neither is a problem for me. There's alot of discussion in the archives about CDI units also, suggest you do a search.
I think it depends.
Chip: I think it depends on several factors. Probably the major one is the size of the boat. Many owners with smaller boats seem to be VERY satisfied with the CDI furlers. The new models seem to be better than the older ones (they modified their design). If you have a larger boat 30+ ft., I think you will find that the owners are less satisfied. I spoke to one of the companies that sold most of the brands and they said that the Shaffer, Harken Hood,etc. were much better quality and should last for 15-20 years. Even though they sold CDI, they did not speak too highly of their quality.
Chip: I think it depends on several factors. Probably the major one is the size of the boat. Many owners with smaller boats seem to be VERY satisfied with the CDI furlers. The new models seem to be better than the older ones (they modified their design). If you have a larger boat 30+ ft., I think you will find that the owners are less satisfied. I spoke to one of the companies that sold most of the brands and they said that the Shaffer, Harken Hood,etc. were much better quality and should last for 15-20 years. Even though they sold CDI, they did not speak too highly of their quality.
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John
CDI
Last season was my first with an old CDI on my Catalina 30. I had trouble and called the company several times. After the third time they didn't want to talk to me. I finally figured out the problem myself and got it to work. The sheave at the top of the mast on the roller furling had disintergrated. I'm not thrilled with the design using the continuous line with splice either.
Last season was my first with an old CDI on my Catalina 30. I had trouble and called the company several times. After the third time they didn't want to talk to me. I finally figured out the problem myself and got it to work. The sheave at the top of the mast on the roller furling had disintergrated. I'm not thrilled with the design using the continuous line with splice either.
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Bob
In My Case - Advantage CDI
Hi Chip, Installed CDI FF-4L with ball bearing option on O'Day 27 in 2001. Selected CDI because I could still use existing jib haylard for cruising spinnaker. CDI tensions genoa within the furler and does not load support bearing(s). The simple design means CDI can give life time warranty even covering abuse. Have furled in winds 30+ kts - fast and smooth. Have 135 Genoa with foam luff. Reefs to 90 with good shape. If you want / need a larger Genoa, consider getting something for heavy air. Don't think you will be happy reefing beyond 35% - 170 Genoa reef no more than 115. Any of the furler on the market today will preform well for a long time. Sure you can't pick a bad one. Good Luck Bob
Hi Chip, Installed CDI FF-4L with ball bearing option on O'Day 27 in 2001. Selected CDI because I could still use existing jib haylard for cruising spinnaker. CDI tensions genoa within the furler and does not load support bearing(s). The simple design means CDI can give life time warranty even covering abuse. Have furled in winds 30+ kts - fast and smooth. Have 135 Genoa with foam luff. Reefs to 90 with good shape. If you want / need a larger Genoa, consider getting something for heavy air. Don't think you will be happy reefing beyond 35% - 170 Genoa reef no more than 115. Any of the furler on the market today will preform well for a long time. Sure you can't pick a bad one. Good Luck Bob
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Jeff
Famet
If you like the concept of a self contained halyard as part of the furler the FAMET is indeed bullett proof and competitive price wise with the big boys. Practical Sailor rates them very high. No bearings either and a true furler and reefer. There is a difference between furling and reefing.
If you like the concept of a self contained halyard as part of the furler the FAMET is indeed bullett proof and competitive price wise with the big boys. Practical Sailor rates them very high. No bearings either and a true furler and reefer. There is a difference between furling and reefing.
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Todd Osborne (Windwalker)
My CDI-FF7 Works fine
If you are on a budget, & a DIY type. You'll love the CDI. You can install it yourself. Mine has worked for the 3 years I've had it (flawlessly). Changing sails is a pain, but how many cruisers change sails regularly (a.k.a. at all)? Especially when a foam luff allows you to furl/reef in the one you already have up.
If you are on a budget, & a DIY type. You'll love the CDI. You can install it yourself. Mine has worked for the 3 years I've had it (flawlessly). Changing sails is a pain, but how many cruisers change sails regularly (a.k.a. at all)? Especially when a foam luff allows you to furl/reef in the one you already have up.
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EJ Tews
I am Hapy
I installed my CDI FF4 last winter, It was pretty easy to install. It does take at least two pair of hands. We accidently let the turnbuckle silde up in to the sheeve and could not get it out, we would up dropping the mast and started over. Works like a charm, the down side is keeping the sail tight, something with an external halyard would be easier to tighten. That is the only draw back that I have. But at the same time, I do not need to run another halyard for a spinaker. EJ Tews O'Day 25 _/) Jennifer Lea
I installed my CDI FF4 last winter, It was pretty easy to install. It does take at least two pair of hands. We accidently let the turnbuckle silde up in to the sheeve and could not get it out, we would up dropping the mast and started over. Works like a charm, the down side is keeping the sail tight, something with an external halyard would be easier to tighten. That is the only draw back that I have. But at the same time, I do not need to run another halyard for a spinaker. EJ Tews O'Day 25 _/) Jennifer Lea
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Tom s/v GAIA
I would buy another in a heart beat.
But there is nothing wrong with the one I have. What brand does you loft sell, or contract with, I wonder. CDI makes a VERY good product. Tom s/v GAIA
But there is nothing wrong with the one I have. What brand does you loft sell, or contract with, I wonder. CDI makes a VERY good product. Tom s/v GAIA
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Bob Todd
I have the original...
...that came on my 1987 O'day 272LE and it still works flawlessly. I'd buy another CDI. Cheers, Bob
...that came on my 1987 O'day 272LE and it still works flawlessly. I'd buy another CDI. Cheers, Bob
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John K Kudera
CDI Furler in use 14 seasons
I have a CDI furler, came with the boat, a H34, I had some problems a few years ago, bought all new plastic "bearings",found the unit was not assembled properly, we corrected the errors, I lubed the plastic parts with a waterproof grease, works perfectly. ps: I do furl the jib down wind, best idea I ever got from this forum ! Thanks guys.
I have a CDI furler, came with the boat, a H34, I had some problems a few years ago, bought all new plastic "bearings",found the unit was not assembled properly, we corrected the errors, I lubed the plastic parts with a waterproof grease, works perfectly. ps: I do furl the jib down wind, best idea I ever got from this forum ! Thanks guys.
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JOlson
CDI works for me.
Iliked the shaffer Iliked ProfurlBut I liked CDIs life time guarantee.When I ordered it It came to the boat yard in three days.I called CDI on saterday and asked a few silly questions and by night fall I was reafing my head sail again.And it was Half the price of other furlers . I love my CDI PS I Did not think I Could have Installed the other units my self. John Olson
Iliked the shaffer Iliked ProfurlBut I liked CDIs life time guarantee.When I ordered it It came to the boat yard in three days.I called CDI on saterday and asked a few silly questions and by night fall I was reafing my head sail again.And it was Half the price of other furlers . I love my CDI PS I Did not think I Could have Installed the other units my self. John Olson
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