We recently purchased a 1991 Hunter Legend 37.5. The sail inventory includes the factory 135 jenny that had never been used. The factory headsail furling mechanism was changed to a profurl system by the previous owner. Is there anyway to tell by visual examination if this sail (or maybe combination of the sail and furling equipment)can be roller reefed?
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UV Cover and shape
The sail is probably designed to be used with a roller furler if it was supplied by Hunter. It would have a dark UV cover along the leach that covers the sail when its rolled up and would have the clew sufficiently high so it does not interfere with the drum when its being furled.
The sail is probably designed to be used with a roller furler if it was supplied by Hunter. It would have a dark UV cover along the leach that covers the sail when its rolled up and would have the clew sufficiently high so it does not interfere with the drum when its being furled.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO REEF...
Steve, it depends on the type of furler drive you have. Is it single or line drive? If you have a single line to wind it up only, then it should hold a reef. I have a line drive unit (continous loop; pull one way to unfurl, the other to furl) and unless I secure the drum at a reef point, the line will spin on the drum, thus unwinding the sail. The single drive units seem to hold a reef better. Let me know what happens when you try it. Terry S/V Belle-Vie
Steve, it depends on the type of furler drive you have. Is it single or line drive? If you have a single line to wind it up only, then it should hold a reef. I have a line drive unit (continous loop; pull one way to unfurl, the other to furl) and unless I secure the drum at a reef point, the line will spin on the drum, thus unwinding the sail. The single drive units seem to hold a reef better. Let me know what happens when you try it. Terry S/V Belle-Vie
Reefing x Furling
Just because a sail can be roller furled does not mean it can be roller reefed. They are not the same thing. A sail partially furled will not have the proper shape as it would with a roller reefing system.
Just because a sail can be roller furled does not mean it can be roller reefed. They are not the same thing. A sail partially furled will not have the proper shape as it would with a roller reefing system.
Reef
Headsails that have the foam padded luff added are designed to be reefed as well as furled. The furler itself has nothing to do with whether or not the headsail can be reefed.
Headsails that have the foam padded luff added are designed to be reefed as well as furled. The furler itself has nothing to do with whether or not the headsail can be reefed.
David
That's what I was talking about. I didn't mean the mechanical part when I said system, although it IS refered to as a Roller Reefing or Roller Furling system. ask Olaf Harken.. But you are correct... Ron
That's what I was talking about. I didn't mean the mechanical part when I said system, although it IS refered to as a Roller Reefing or Roller Furling system. ask Olaf Harken.. But you are correct... Ron
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS...
Steve, when I need to reduce power I will use my furler to roll up my 135 genoa by 50% or 60%. It may not have the perfect shape, or trim, but with my limited sail inventory (stock main and genoa) it gives me some flexibility to adjust the amount of sail I have up.
Steve, when I need to reduce power I will use my furler to roll up my 135 genoa by 50% or 60%. It may not have the perfect shape, or trim, but with my limited sail inventory (stock main and genoa) it gives me some flexibility to adjust the amount of sail I have up.
Foam Padded Luff
Thanks for all of these responses. From what I have read thus far, it seems that a foam padded luff, a raised clew and appropriate furling gear is what is needed to roller reef a headsail. My sail has a raised clew, and the profurl furling systems (single line) operates flawlessly. If I have a sailmaker install a foam padded luff on my headsail, will I be able to reef my headsail with shape? Is there anything else needed?
Thanks for all of these responses. From what I have read thus far, it seems that a foam padded luff, a raised clew and appropriate furling gear is what is needed to roller reef a headsail. My sail has a raised clew, and the profurl furling systems (single line) operates flawlessly. If I have a sailmaker install a foam padded luff on my headsail, will I be able to reef my headsail with shape? Is there anything else needed?
Genoa Car Location
When you "reef" the jib the location of the genoa cars should be checked. Since you're probably in "cruising" mode and not racing this item is not terribly important so long as the leach is not fluttering. If the leach flutters it is very important because it will hurt the sail cloth. The leach line should be easy to adjust because in adverse conditions one shouldn't be on the foredeck hanging out trying to mess with some string. Something else to consider, when the jib is partially furled the leach line adjuster will be higher up so with a high clew it might not even be possible to reach it.
When you "reef" the jib the location of the genoa cars should be checked. Since you're probably in "cruising" mode and not racing this item is not terribly important so long as the leach is not fluttering. If the leach flutters it is very important because it will hurt the sail cloth. The leach line should be easy to adjust because in adverse conditions one shouldn't be on the foredeck hanging out trying to mess with some string. Something else to consider, when the jib is partially furled the leach line adjuster will be higher up so with a high clew it might not even be possible to reach it.
RF Genoa
The ProFurl is a great system, designed as a furling/reefing system, so, your Good there. Secondly, Any Furling Genoa can be reefed, and although a Seafoam luff pad helps, a reefed genoa does not have the performance or shape as when fully out. This is the trade off of a RF system vs. changing headsails. When the system was changed to the Profurl, it may have changed the max sail luff dimension, if link plates were used, so, the sail may need a recut. And depending on the system models, before and now, you may need to change to a different size luff tape. BUT, before you run off to your trusty sailmaker, you can measure the luff with a tape measure, or more simply, pull out the sail and see if it fits, then if you need modifications, your sailmaker can make them. And it's not a big deal. Good luck.
The ProFurl is a great system, designed as a furling/reefing system, so, your Good there. Secondly, Any Furling Genoa can be reefed, and although a Seafoam luff pad helps, a reefed genoa does not have the performance or shape as when fully out. This is the trade off of a RF system vs. changing headsails. When the system was changed to the Profurl, it may have changed the max sail luff dimension, if link plates were used, so, the sail may need a recut. And depending on the system models, before and now, you may need to change to a different size luff tape. BUT, before you run off to your trusty sailmaker, you can measure the luff with a tape measure, or more simply, pull out the sail and see if it fits, then if you need modifications, your sailmaker can make them. And it's not a big deal. Good luck.
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