furler issue

[Bob 04 H260]

I bought a new Schaefer Snapfurl 700 furler and installed it this afternoon. I removed a CDI FF2 furler and the original stock Doyle jib. All went well except the sail tape is too big for the slot in the new furler.

The sail worked perfect with the CDI furler in terms of fitting into the slot and being able to raise and lower the sail with the halyard.

Schaefer specify to use a #6 tape on the sail for this furler. The slot in the Schaefer furler looks quite a bit smaller than the one in the CDI, they also specify a #6 tape on the luff. I used a silicone lubricant that is recommended for furlers to attempt to slide the sail up the furler slot but it was so tight after getting it about 24" into the slot I was afraid the sail would be damaged pulling on it any harder.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with Schaefer furlers ? Solutions ??

Bob

 

[RichH]

Schaefer uses various extrusions for their snapfurl system. What you probably got was a snapfurl extrusion (CF500) for 16-24 ft. boat with a #5 support tape slot/groove, not the (CF700) extrusion with a #6 groove

 

[Barnacle Bill]

What you do is take your sail to a sailmaker and have him remove the wrong size tape and sew on the right side tape. How hard can that be?

 

[RichH]

.... or simply get (exchange for) the correct snap furl extrustion.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

the extrusion for the 500 will not fit on the 700 furler,

I talked with Shaefer who suggested I measure the foil as it could be undersized. I did the measurements on the foil and measured the sail as well. It appeared there is about 15 thou of clearance between the two. Shaefer said there foil was within spec. and that 15 thou was not enough clearance.

I talked to a sail loft and they explained it is a common problem that could be fixed for $200. They suggested I bring a piece of the foil in with me so they can size the luff tape correctly. He said they sometimes have to use a #5 tape in a foil rated for a #6 depending on who made the tape. They have more issues with the heavier sails as everything adds up. It seems the numbers on the luff tape don't really mean much. I notice UK sails send samples of their luff tape to test your foil before they make the sail.

Just something you might want to check when ordering a sail for a furler.
Bob