i'm looking for some fresh thoughts on a CDI-7 for a C-30. i've checked the archives and the responses are all over the place. i'm in an area where the wind typically blows in the low teens in the afternoons and occasionally it pipes up. i singlehand a lot. no racing left in my blood, so just local cruising and 'bopping' around the bay. the current furler is a bit tatty and i think it's one of the upgrades that i'm going to do this season. obviously price is an issue, but i don't want to be pound-wise, and furler-foolish. as an aside, i'm also looking for a set of non-wood spreaders. my old '77 still has the original and i think i'd feel better if they were replaced. if you know of someplace other than catalina direct (new price almost $600!) i'd be forever grateful.
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CDI IS BETTER THAN NO FURLER
IMHO: CDI IS OK FOR A CATALINA 30. IF PRICE IS A BIG DEAL THE CDI MAY BE THE BEST. IF PRICE WERE NOT AS IMPORTANT I THINK THERE ARE BETTER SYSTEMS. I THINK CDI HAS 3 PROBLEMS: YOU CAN'T REALLY ADJUST HALYARD TENSION, THE EXTRUSION IS NOT USUALLY PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, IT IS HARD TO CHANGE HEADSAILS. IT HAS ADVANTAGES TOO: AFFORDABLE, UNBREAKABLE, LIFE TIME WARRANTY, EASY TO INSTALL. I NO LONGER THINK OF ROLLER FURLING AS A LUXURY AND CDI IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN NO FURLING AT ALL! I HAVE A CATALINA 30 WITH A HOOD FURLER AND A KENT RANGER 26 WITH CDI. THE CDI IS REALLY GREAT FOR A TRAILERABLE BOAT, I'M GLAD MY C30 DOSEN'T HAVE IT THOUGH. IF YOU DO GET THE CDI BE SURE TO GET THE UPGRADED BEARINGS. HOPE THIS HELPS AND GOOD LUCK.
IMHO: CDI IS OK FOR A CATALINA 30. IF PRICE IS A BIG DEAL THE CDI MAY BE THE BEST. IF PRICE WERE NOT AS IMPORTANT I THINK THERE ARE BETTER SYSTEMS. I THINK CDI HAS 3 PROBLEMS: YOU CAN'T REALLY ADJUST HALYARD TENSION, THE EXTRUSION IS NOT USUALLY PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, IT IS HARD TO CHANGE HEADSAILS. IT HAS ADVANTAGES TOO: AFFORDABLE, UNBREAKABLE, LIFE TIME WARRANTY, EASY TO INSTALL. I NO LONGER THINK OF ROLLER FURLING AS A LUXURY AND CDI IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN NO FURLING AT ALL! I HAVE A CATALINA 30 WITH A HOOD FURLER AND A KENT RANGER 26 WITH CDI. THE CDI IS REALLY GREAT FOR A TRAILERABLE BOAT, I'M GLAD MY C30 DOSEN'T HAVE IT THOUGH. IF YOU DO GET THE CDI BE SURE TO GET THE UPGRADED BEARINGS. HOPE THIS HELPS AND GOOD LUCK.
Alado Furler
We replaced our Hood POS continuous furler this summer with an Alado unit. Very please with the performance, great price and extremely well constructed yet very simple design. Had to replace the headstay. It was kinked during the transport but the old Hood furler had failed and chewed into the turnbuckle anyway. http://www.aladous.com/index.htm
We replaced our Hood POS continuous furler this summer with an Alado unit. Very please with the performance, great price and extremely well constructed yet very simple design. Had to replace the headstay. It was kinked during the transport but the old Hood furler had failed and chewed into the turnbuckle anyway. http://www.aladous.com/index.htm
CDI on Grampian 26
Some years ago when I owned a Grampian 26, I had it fitted with a CDI furler. As Jim B said, it was a lot better than no furler at all. I echo his remarks about the limitations of the CDI. After a season or so, I added the upgraded bearing, but it honestly didn't make that much difference. I was singlehanding the boat quite often, and wished it would have required less muscle to roll up the sail. I think the halyard tension issue can be solved with some small blocks. I now own a C30 (past 7 years) with a Harken furler. I don't think I would recommend the CDI for a C30.
Some years ago when I owned a Grampian 26, I had it fitted with a CDI furler. As Jim B said, it was a lot better than no furler at all. I echo his remarks about the limitations of the CDI. After a season or so, I added the upgraded bearing, but it honestly didn't make that much difference. I was singlehanding the boat quite often, and wished it would have required less muscle to roll up the sail. I think the halyard tension issue can be solved with some small blocks. I now own a C30 (past 7 years) with a Harken furler. I don't think I would recommend the CDI for a C30.
CDI/Spreaders
Joe: I have a pair of wooden spreaders that I took off my Cat 30 a few years ago. They are in decent shape. They are yours if you want them. They still have all the hardware on them. I'm in Bridgeport, so just come over on the ferry and pick them up. I put aluminum spreaders on a few years ago because it was costing me about $600 to unstep/step the mast for the winter storage. I had JSI in Florida make an aluminum pair for me. I sent them one of my spreaders and they sent back a pair that just "bolts in". The link is attached. Saved the cost of the new spreaders in the first year. If fact I have left the boat in the water now, and only pull it every 3 years, instead of every year. I also have an old (1982)CDI furler on my Cat, and it has not given me any MAJOR troubles in the past 15 years, so I am not changing my furler, altho it does require more muscle power that other units, I would guess.
Joe: I have a pair of wooden spreaders that I took off my Cat 30 a few years ago. They are in decent shape. They are yours if you want them. They still have all the hardware on them. I'm in Bridgeport, so just come over on the ferry and pick them up. I put aluminum spreaders on a few years ago because it was costing me about $600 to unstep/step the mast for the winter storage. I had JSI in Florida make an aluminum pair for me. I sent them one of my spreaders and they sent back a pair that just "bolts in". The link is attached. Saved the cost of the new spreaders in the first year. If fact I have left the boat in the water now, and only pull it every 3 years, instead of every year. I also have an old (1982)CDI furler on my Cat, and it has not given me any MAJOR troubles in the past 15 years, so I am not changing my furler, altho it does require more muscle power that other units, I would guess.
We've sold a lot of CDI furlers
here on this site, never had so much as one complaint. The owner of the company (Tom) answers his own phone and is very helpful. That being said, the Harken cruising furler (unit 1) is my favorite, I can sell you one for $1197, about $369 more than the Cdi. You'll also need a toggle for around $50. http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail.htm?fno=20&group=869&cat=1606 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com Toll Free 877-932-7245 ext.116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific.
here on this site, never had so much as one complaint. The owner of the company (Tom) answers his own phone and is very helpful. That being said, the Harken cruising furler (unit 1) is my favorite, I can sell you one for $1197, about $369 more than the Cdi. You'll also need a toggle for around $50. http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail.htm?fno=20&group=869&cat=1606 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com Toll Free 877-932-7245 ext.116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific.
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