My CDI FF4 furler is in transit right now. I have read the installation manual on-line, and it recommends you straighten the foil fairly quickly after receiving it. My problem is the mast is off the boat getting some projects completed, and I would like to wait a couple of weeks before installing the furler. I can't imagine they store these things un-coiled before shipping, so do I take the chance and leave it in the box or perform the straightening routine and leave it on the boat?
CDI New Furler Coming - Question
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Coiled
We occasionally would keep ours coiled inside the cabin during the winter. Letting it warm up in the sun for a few hours prior to installation makes them more pliable. I would imagine that the factory does keep the extrusions straight until manufacturing and shipping takes place. It would take them easier to store and handle during manufacturing process and possibly less likely to take a set if stored for a lengthy period. What would it hurt if you tied the extrusion onto the mast until you were ready for it. IMHO Jeff
We occasionally would keep ours coiled inside the cabin during the winter. Letting it warm up in the sun for a few hours prior to installation makes them more pliable. I would imagine that the factory does keep the extrusions straight until manufacturing and shipping takes place. It would take them easier to store and handle during manufacturing process and possibly less likely to take a set if stored for a lengthy period. What would it hurt if you tied the extrusion onto the mast until you were ready for it. IMHO Jeff
CDI New Furler
I did mine the winter before last. I wanted to do as much work as I could in my basement so I decided to uncoil it the same day I received it as I also was concerned about leaving it coiled. They do warn you about the coil springing and injuring you in the instructions. They aren't kidding. If I did it again I would be even more careful. I pondered how I would then transport it to the mast about 2 miles away. I opted to run it out the sunroof of a Jeep Laredo and back in the tailgate with lines securing it. It worked well even in the dead of winter. Be careful with the coil when you cut the straps! Hope this gives you some ideas.
I did mine the winter before last. I wanted to do as much work as I could in my basement so I decided to uncoil it the same day I received it as I also was concerned about leaving it coiled. They do warn you about the coil springing and injuring you in the instructions. They aren't kidding. If I did it again I would be even more careful. I pondered how I would then transport it to the mast about 2 miles away. I opted to run it out the sunroof of a Jeep Laredo and back in the tailgate with lines securing it. It worked well even in the dead of winter. Be careful with the coil when you cut the straps! Hope this gives you some ideas.
What I did
I actually had my sailmaker put the furling unit together for me, and I installed the completed unit on my boat. When the foil and furler was originally shipped to his loft, he uncoiled the foil and let it straighten. When he had finished recutting my jib for use on the furler (about a week after uncoiling the foil), he recurled the foil so I could transport the thing easily. I took the newly recoiled foil directly to my marina. It flattened out again very quickly. Lesson learned: it is easy to recoil and reflatten the foil, especially if the recoil is for a short time. btw, you are going to love having roller furling.
I actually had my sailmaker put the furling unit together for me, and I installed the completed unit on my boat. When the foil and furler was originally shipped to his loft, he uncoiled the foil and let it straighten. When he had finished recutting my jib for use on the furler (about a week after uncoiling the foil), he recurled the foil so I could transport the thing easily. I took the newly recoiled foil directly to my marina. It flattened out again very quickly. Lesson learned: it is easy to recoil and reflatten the foil, especially if the recoil is for a short time. btw, you are going to love having roller furling.
Second the watch out rule
When you cut the material holding the foil in a coiled position, have a second/third set of hands. What I did was go ahead and uncoil the foil from its tight shipping coil and then loosley coil it in the bed of my pick up after it sat in the sun for a while. No excitment uncoiling the loose coil. You could do the same thing and store it in a basement or garage until you are ready to install it.
When you cut the material holding the foil in a coiled position, have a second/third set of hands. What I did was go ahead and uncoil the foil from its tight shipping coil and then loosley coil it in the bed of my pick up after it sat in the sun for a while. No excitment uncoiling the loose coil. You could do the same thing and store it in a basement or garage until you are ready to install it.
Get your Forestay Now.
If you can remove your forestay from the mast now, you could trim and install the CDI at home. Then just re-coil it like John said and take it to the marina when you're ready to raise tha mast. Like the others said, be careful when uncoiling the foil for the first time. It's wound like a clock spring!
If you can remove your forestay from the mast now, you could trim and install the CDI at home. Then just re-coil it like John said and take it to the marina when you're ready to raise tha mast. Like the others said, be careful when uncoiling the foil for the first time. It's wound like a clock spring!
your fine with a few weeks
I would imagine that if youleave it coiled for a few weeks it should be fine. It may take a bit longer for it to straighted. Can you leave it uncoiled under your boat? I just installed an FF7 this weekend on my boat....went very smooth.
I would imagine that if youleave it coiled for a few weeks it should be fine. It may take a bit longer for it to straighted. Can you leave it uncoiled under your boat? I just installed an FF7 this weekend on my boat....went very smooth.
3 weeks is no problem
I unfurled my FF6 a few weeks ago after having it coiled for 3 weeks after delivery. I followed the instructions and reversed the coil and left it in the sun for a day. It straightened right out. As some of the others have said, have someone with you and protect your sensitive parts when uncoiling it the first time...
I unfurled my FF6 a few weeks ago after having it coiled for 3 weeks after delivery. I followed the instructions and reversed the coil and left it in the sun for a day. It straightened right out. As some of the others have said, have someone with you and protect your sensitive parts when uncoiling it the first time...
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