@hinmo1 wrote:
Judy - working to get my CDI furler on my 2003 Cat 18. Question for you (you have the experience).
My forstay attaches to the mast with a "t-slug" that slips in a slot in the mast. Do you think that is adequate for a CDI furler? CDI wants a toggle, but when I called them they did not seem to excited if I did not have one.
>> The T-slug can articulate w/ 6 degrees of freedom. No toggle needed. if it were a fork and eye, I'd recommend a toggle to prevent strands of wire failing from fatigue due to flexing
Also, I am having a sailmaker cut my genoa and add the luff tape. I measured the extrusion and it looks like its is 6/32in. or wider, so I am going with #6 luff tape. Sound right?
>> Read the manual online. Yes, #6 tape is specified. Your sailmaker *should* know this.
Last - the CDI FF1 maker says take 10.75 inches off the eye to eye luff length when measuring for the luff for the top and bottom CDI drum/roller. Someone else (presion or national sails) said take 18 inches off. Got any recommendations for the final luff length so I can tell the sailmaker the length to cut?
>> I would recommend that you install the CDI and then get measuring instructions from your sailmaker. You sail maker should provide instruction on how to measure. Otherwise YOU are responsible for decisions, and you don't know enough to take responsibility for the final result. Just give the sailmaker the dimensions of your furler that they require, and let them figure out how the dimensions of the sail.
>> The 18" deduction is a reasonable guess that's erring on the side of safety. They'd rather make your sail too short than too long. But measuring is a much more reliable method.
Thanks
>> IMO, it's often more cost effective to buy a new genoa and sell the old one than modify a hank on sail. And you get a sail that's shaped better for furling. We design furling sails differently than hank ons. We add reefing patches, the draft is shallower, etc. We also tend to choose a slightly stronger cloth, for the higher loads when you use it in higher winds. Ask the sailmaker about this before you spend the money to convert the sail.
>> A couple more considerations:
>> You should consider adding a luff pad for better shape when reefed.
>> The clew on the genoa will no longer be in the same place as before. You will need to adjust the position of your genoa track. Otherwise you will not have the right tension on either the foot compared to the leech. That produces either too much or too little twist. Discuss this with the sailmaker.
Judy
