removehtml]We're looking at buying a CDI FF4 furler for our O'day 26. What is the general opinion of this furler? Does it reef well? Is it worth the money? Should I opt for the ball bearing kit? Thank you.Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
CDI furler opinions
- Thread starter Mike8088
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I have one
I have one that came with my boat. I cannot honestly tell you if it has an optional ball bearing kit. I've used it two seasons and I love it.
I have one that came with my boat. I cannot honestly tell you if it has an optional ball bearing kit. I've used it two seasons and I love it.
It's what we have
I put a CDI on our Catalina -22 .It worked very well for us .Our new to us 25 Oday came with the CDI FF4 . For the past two years it has worked very well. I will be upgrading to the ball bearing kit this spring.
I put a CDI on our Catalina -22 .It worked very well for us .Our new to us 25 Oday came with the CDI FF4 . For the past two years it has worked very well. I will be upgrading to the ball bearing kit this spring.
I have one...
I bought the boat used from a charity and had a problem with the FF4's drum coming out of the hub. I even called the manufacturer because I figured something was configured wrong. They had no answers for me, although in general they were knowledgable and friendly. Long story short, some the the optional bearings came out. The manufacturer said the best way to have them replaced was to send it back to them. I haven't bothered because once the previous owner pointed out that there was a retaining pin missing I had no problems furling even with the missing bearings. I don't know if I'd spend the money on them myself based on that, if they are over $100 more (I don't know the cost). My boat is a 25 foot Lancer. My FF4 is older, but unless they changed its design I probably wouldn't buy one if I planned to change sails often. The integral halyard is a skinny little piece of line that runs down a channel. If there is any kind of wind or strain on the system it is a royal pain to get even my tiny 110% genoa to full hoist. It is just tough to get leverage on that tiny line...especially if you are in bad weather already trying to swap a headsail. Forget it. My Wife and I put the jib up last year with a 2-foot swell and it was hell. Once it is up it is fine. The other thing is that to lower the sail you need to tie a line to the thin halyard line. I don't know if there are better options, but when first bought my boat I did this in a hurry (lack of experience) and we had a blow a few days later. The lines twisted around a shroud and separated leaving me with the joy of dropping my mast on the water to retrieve it or going to the top in a bosuns chair. Neither is fun. Perhaps owners of other systems can chime in. In total...not bad for the money...but the FF4 has its built in frustrations and limitiations. Bob
I bought the boat used from a charity and had a problem with the FF4's drum coming out of the hub. I even called the manufacturer because I figured something was configured wrong. They had no answers for me, although in general they were knowledgable and friendly. Long story short, some the the optional bearings came out. The manufacturer said the best way to have them replaced was to send it back to them. I haven't bothered because once the previous owner pointed out that there was a retaining pin missing I had no problems furling even with the missing bearings. I don't know if I'd spend the money on them myself based on that, if they are over $100 more (I don't know the cost). My boat is a 25 foot Lancer. My FF4 is older, but unless they changed its design I probably wouldn't buy one if I planned to change sails often. The integral halyard is a skinny little piece of line that runs down a channel. If there is any kind of wind or strain on the system it is a royal pain to get even my tiny 110% genoa to full hoist. It is just tough to get leverage on that tiny line...especially if you are in bad weather already trying to swap a headsail. Forget it. My Wife and I put the jib up last year with a 2-foot swell and it was hell. Once it is up it is fine. The other thing is that to lower the sail you need to tie a line to the thin halyard line. I don't know if there are better options, but when first bought my boat I did this in a hurry (lack of experience) and we had a blow a few days later. The lines twisted around a shroud and separated leaving me with the joy of dropping my mast on the water to retrieve it or going to the top in a bosuns chair. Neither is fun. Perhaps owners of other systems can chime in. In total...not bad for the money...but the FF4 has its built in frustrations and limitiations. Bob
One more thing...
Keep in mind that it costs quite a bit to modify a sail for roller furling...it is nearly worth just buying new. I know this as I had my jib get damaged in a storm. It unfurled a bit, because the previous owner had fixed it and it suddenly started rolling and unrolling MUCH better. It unrolled in the storm, but luckily a fellow sailboater saw it and saved it from complete destruction. A new sail was about $700...getting a used one converted...adding the tape on the luff and the UV cover...was going to be nearly $500. I got it fixed for $350. One more thing...reefing is for the most part only of limited efficacy. If I roll up my jib even 10% the resulting windage of the sail wrapped around the foil really makes it ineffective and I usually just roll it up all the way and sail under the main. That is not unusual from what I have read. It is wise to invest in having a rope or foam luff added to the sail. Rope is supposed to be a bit more durable. They help the sail maintain shape as it is furled. Forgive me for the long winded answers. You have probably researched this yourself, but I'd rather provide too much info than not enough. I always appreciate all the info I can get from others myself. Bob
Keep in mind that it costs quite a bit to modify a sail for roller furling...it is nearly worth just buying new. I know this as I had my jib get damaged in a storm. It unfurled a bit, because the previous owner had fixed it and it suddenly started rolling and unrolling MUCH better. It unrolled in the storm, but luckily a fellow sailboater saw it and saved it from complete destruction. A new sail was about $700...getting a used one converted...adding the tape on the luff and the UV cover...was going to be nearly $500. I got it fixed for $350. One more thing...reefing is for the most part only of limited efficacy. If I roll up my jib even 10% the resulting windage of the sail wrapped around the foil really makes it ineffective and I usually just roll it up all the way and sail under the main. That is not unusual from what I have read. It is wise to invest in having a rope or foam luff added to the sail. Rope is supposed to be a bit more durable. They help the sail maintain shape as it is furled. Forgive me for the long winded answers. You have probably researched this yourself, but I'd rather provide too much info than not enough. I always appreciate all the info I can get from others myself. Bob
Happy with CDI
I have a CDI unit on my boat with the ball bearings. I think it is the FF6 and I couldn't be happier. I'm not sure if the ball bearings make a difference but it seems to wind and unwind easier than some of the other furlers on different boats i've been on. Manny
I have a CDI unit on my boat with the ball bearings. I think it is the FF6 and I couldn't be happier. I'm not sure if the ball bearings make a difference but it seems to wind and unwind easier than some of the other furlers on different boats i've been on. Manny
Happy with ours
We have a 2004 Hunter 260, and have never had a problem in four years of use. We do not have ball bearings, but the thing rolls and unrolls with ease. Using a messenger line on the halyard to lower the sail (only done for winter storage) is no problem at all. The furler also works great for trailering.
We have a 2004 Hunter 260, and have never had a problem in four years of use. We do not have ball bearings, but the thing rolls and unrolls with ease. Using a messenger line on the halyard to lower the sail (only done for winter storage) is no problem at all. The furler also works great for trailering.
cdi
I installed one on my previous boat, a 22' Gloucester. I spent the extra $ (not much) for the BB upgrade. The unit was easy to install and worked great. Modifying the genoa was kinda pricey if i remember correctly.
I installed one on my previous boat, a 22' Gloucester. I spent the extra $ (not much) for the BB upgrade. The unit was easy to install and worked great. Modifying the genoa was kinda pricey if i remember correctly.
cdi ff4
Ive got an FF4 with bearings new last season on my P26W works fine. I had my 125 genoa and working jib modified with tape for the furler. from my experience with it I see this system as a roller furl. Fully unrolled or fully rolled. I would not partially reef a jib with it. I spilced a lanyard on to the top of the working jib so the hoist on both sails measure the same length. If it looks breezy I change down to the smaller jib before heading out. Its pretty simple all you need is a messenger line to tie to the halyard when you drop the sail. If its starts to breeze up Ill reef the main, more wind I drop the main. If its still to breezy to sail with just a working jib I`ll just start my motor and beat it in.
Ive got an FF4 with bearings new last season on my P26W works fine. I had my 125 genoa and working jib modified with tape for the furler. from my experience with it I see this system as a roller furl. Fully unrolled or fully rolled. I would not partially reef a jib with it. I spilced a lanyard on to the top of the working jib so the hoist on both sails measure the same length. If it looks breezy I change down to the smaller jib before heading out. Its pretty simple all you need is a messenger line to tie to the halyard when you drop the sail. If its starts to breeze up Ill reef the main, more wind I drop the main. If its still to breezy to sail with just a working jib I`ll just start my motor and beat it in.
Another question
Thank you for your opinions. For those of you who said the CDI is not a great reefer, could you please ellaborate. I'm looking at having a 135% made for a furler with the hopes of reefing it to a 110% if necessary. We will have a foam luff added to the new sail. Would this be pushing the limits of the CDI under normal (15-20 kts) conditions?
Thank you for your opinions. For those of you who said the CDI is not a great reefer, could you please ellaborate. I'm looking at having a 135% made for a furler with the hopes of reefing it to a 110% if necessary. We will have a foam luff added to the new sail. Would this be pushing the limits of the CDI under normal (15-20 kts) conditions?
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