Another vote for the CDI
I have a '79 Oday 23 too, and I have the CDI. I had decided on the CDI based on recommendations from others, Rudy at D&R Marine (the Oday guru in case you don't know), and from posts on this site. When I took my jib in to my local sailmaker to have the luff tape sewn in, I found out he was a CDI dealer. He offered to match any price I could find for the unit, sell me the fairleads/furling line kit at his cost (you would not believe the mark up on those things!) and even offered to put the thing together for me for a nominal price. After he assembeled the unit, I then installed the whole shebang on the boat. No rocket science involved. Because there is no upper swivel unit, I think the CDI is one of the simplest furler on the market. This is my third season with the CDI, and I have had no problems whatsoever.I see that you are from Connecticut too. If you don't mind a trip to Westbrook, I bought my CDI from Clark Bassett at Kappa Sails.