CDI Rolling Furling

woodster · Jul 25, 2015

You may want to look at an Alado furler just about the simplest one I have seen

justsomeguy · Jul 25, 2015

pelicanj45 said:
I own a Hunter 36 Cherubini model. I've owned it around 25 years. This year the roller furling is almost impossible to roll up.
The drum outer flange is somewhere between 8 1/2 and 9 inches in diameter. I'm looking for any input as too how to trouble shooting the problem.
1. Last time the drum was apart was about 5 to 6 years ago.
2. I changed to line when I last had the drum apart.
3. The line appears to over-lap on itself.
4. Is it best to fill the drum with line or use only what is necessary to roll in the sail?
5. There are no bearings in this CDI unit. It was made before CDI started using bearings.
6. As any CDI owner knows, the last thing I want to do is take the drum apart. The sail track wants to come apart and it takes a village to hold it all together while I work on the drum.

Any suggestions (other than buy a Harken) would be appreciated.

Thank you, Jack

5-6 years between checkups is quite awhile.

It sounds like you've got the older style foil, the sectioned metal one. Is that so?

justsomeguy · Jul 25, 2015

pelicanj45 said:
it's a plastic drum.
thanks for the input.

But does it have a plastic sail track or foil?

Allan12210 · Jul 25, 2015

I used to take my drum apart occasionally to clean and lubricate it. I didn't think it was that difficult. Two people would be easier, but I thought I did it myself.

Regarding how much line, you should start out with about 5 wraps left when the sail is fully furled (including having the jib sheets make a couple of turns just to hold the sail in place. Then enough line to result in about 4 feet left for cleating when the sail is fully deployed. If that amount (no larger than 3/8") doesn't fit in the drum, you can pull 10 feet or so of the core out of the drum end of the furling line.

When my plastic drum finally was damaged beyond repair I bought the new metal drum from CDI and continued to use my foil sections. That is the cheapest route for replacement. That new drum has bearings and is really nice.

JerryA · Jul 26, 2015

Loved my CDI

I had a CDI on my last boat and loved it. I just installed a ProFurl on my current boat, and it was pretty easy. Works well too so far.

JerryA

Kermit · Jul 26, 2015

I talked to CDI twice when I had my CDI furler. He's a very nice man and a wealth of information. A phone call might be in order.

http://www.sailcdi.com/welcome.htm

bffatcat · Jul 26, 2015

furlers etc

I had cdi with bearings.It was an ok furler for the price It worked ok for about 8 years before it started giving trouble. binding up, jams in the plastic drum I never liked the internal halyard. I found it difficult to hoist. About 3 years ago I bought a new Harken. It worked smooth and easy from day one, never has given one bit of trouble. Best move I ever made

justsomeguy · Jul 26, 2015

CDIs are great, I think. The only probem I've had with mine showed up this year, with the spin halyard catching on the furler head's protrusion.

We're rolling up the headsail, then things get balled up in a place where we couldn't see from the cockpit. Somewhat unnerving.

I've yet to tear into it this year, but last Summer, the forestay was pristine.

dscribner · Jul 27, 2015

Pelly,

My CDI furler does the same sometimes. The rope gets so thick on the drum that it's very hard if not impossible to furl. I have the notion to follow in other's footsteps and pull the core from the furler line. Not the whole thing, just the first 20 feet or so onto the drum. The space savings would be amazing. You might consider the same.

Sefuller · Jul 29, 2015

I sent you a pm about a ball bearing drum - did you get it?