I often sail solo and really want to get a furling jib for our 23.5 ....what should I know before I buy one? Any suggested makes/models?? Also, by the way, are there such a thing as a rudder lock for smaller sailboates like this?
Furling Jibs
- Thread starter Dave20301
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furlers
Due to the drum and swivel, the luff on a furling headsail will be shorter than that of a similarly sized hank on sail. Due to this, it makes sense to get the largest overlap one can for their furling headsail and in the heaviest weight possible to permit satisfactory reefing. One should well familiarize themselves with the concept of pin to pin deduction for the luff of the furling headsail. This is the reduction on luff on the headsail required to use it on a particular furler.
Due to the drum and swivel, the luff on a furling headsail will be shorter than that of a similarly sized hank on sail. Due to this, it makes sense to get the largest overlap one can for their furling headsail and in the heaviest weight possible to permit satisfactory reefing. One should well familiarize themselves with the concept of pin to pin deduction for the luff of the furling headsail. This is the reduction on luff on the headsail required to use it on a particular furler.
Dave
You are wise to ask before you buy. On my previous boat I had stationary blocks for the sheets to run thru, If I used a furler I would have also changed out the blocks to the adjustable type. {Unless I used a 100% jib all the time} Maybe getting an estimate from a pro is the way to go. He could point out all the stuff you would need and if he was to exspensive you could try to do it yourself. good luck, Jack
You are wise to ask before you buy. On my previous boat I had stationary blocks for the sheets to run thru, If I used a furler I would have also changed out the blocks to the adjustable type. {Unless I used a 100% jib all the time} Maybe getting an estimate from a pro is the way to go. He could point out all the stuff you would need and if he was to exspensive you could try to do it yourself. good luck, Jack
CDI
WE used CDI on our Catalina 22 and now use a larger unit on our 25 Oday.We've been very happy with both units.Cost effective, able to reef and furl,and able to use in thirty knots or more. When the winds pick up we often just head up and furl. Tiller Tamer is just one of several brands that will lock the tiller for you. You might want to ask this question over on the Trailer sailor .com website.
WE used CDI on our Catalina 22 and now use a larger unit on our 25 Oday.We've been very happy with both units.Cost effective, able to reef and furl,and able to use in thirty knots or more. When the winds pick up we often just head up and furl. Tiller Tamer is just one of several brands that will lock the tiller for you. You might want to ask this question over on the Trailer sailor .com website.
CDI
I have the CDI on my Oday 23. Never a problem, and you don't have to worry about the halyard twisting on the upper swivel because there is no upper swivel. Great unit. Some good advice in the previous posts. You can use your existing jib, just have the proper sized tape sewn in, as well as a foam luff. When I first put in the furler, I also had my existing 100% jib modified for the unit. I used the existing fixed jib sheet blocks. A few years later I bought a new 135 jib. I could no longer use the fixed sheet blocks as they were way too far forward. Fortunately, my boat has other blocks further aft (I think for spinnaker work) which I use. I bought my sails and furler from a local sailmaker. I wound up paying more, but it was very worth it to me, as I got to go into a store and talk to an actual person. He also came to my boat, measured for the sails, and also installed them and gave me instruction on how to best use their features. Best of all, I knew he is right here if I ever have problem. You can pay less for internet sails, but I like the deal I got. Another vote here for the Davis Tiller Tamer. I use mine all the time; its the best $25 gadget I ever bought for the boat. You will have to invest in a couple of cleats to hold the control lines, but my unit has lasted for four or five years now with no problems.
I have the CDI on my Oday 23. Never a problem, and you don't have to worry about the halyard twisting on the upper swivel because there is no upper swivel. Great unit. Some good advice in the previous posts. You can use your existing jib, just have the proper sized tape sewn in, as well as a foam luff. When I first put in the furler, I also had my existing 100% jib modified for the unit. I used the existing fixed jib sheet blocks. A few years later I bought a new 135 jib. I could no longer use the fixed sheet blocks as they were way too far forward. Fortunately, my boat has other blocks further aft (I think for spinnaker work) which I use. I bought my sails and furler from a local sailmaker. I wound up paying more, but it was very worth it to me, as I got to go into a store and talk to an actual person. He also came to my boat, measured for the sails, and also installed them and gave me instruction on how to best use their features. Best of all, I knew he is right here if I ever have problem. You can pay less for internet sails, but I like the deal I got. Another vote here for the Davis Tiller Tamer. I use mine all the time; its the best $25 gadget I ever bought for the boat. You will have to invest in a couple of cleats to hold the control lines, but my unit has lasted for four or five years now with no problems.
Tillerlock
For the tiller control: I'd strongly endorse the Cansail tillerlock. A very simple, sturdy and inexpensive device. All metal - steel and brass - and only $36. They're made in Canada. I got mine from ww.cansail.com, but I couldn't bring up this page when I tried it. Another source: they seem to be selling on ebay, using the vendor name cansaildcom. Try the link below. I've had mine for several years, and believe it to be far superior to the US competition. Dick
For the tiller control: I'd strongly endorse the Cansail tillerlock. A very simple, sturdy and inexpensive device. All metal - steel and brass - and only $36. They're made in Canada. I got mine from ww.cansail.com, but I couldn't bring up this page when I tried it. Another source: they seem to be selling on ebay, using the vendor name cansaildcom. Try the link below. I've had mine for several years, and believe it to be far superior to the US competition. Dick
Another CDI/tiller Tamer vote
My son and I installed a CDI on my former boat; a Glouchester 22. I also single hand most of the time and the Tiller Tamer made raising the main much less hassel. Both the furler and tiller tamer are quite easy to install. As mentioned previously, you'll either need a new headsail or have your existing one modified. You may want UV protection (sumbrella) added to your existing sail as well as the proper size bolt rope to fit the CDI foil. Since lead angle onto the furler drum (any furler) is very important, I found that a stanchion mount swiveling fairlead (West has them) works great to keep the proper lead angle.
My son and I installed a CDI on my former boat; a Glouchester 22. I also single hand most of the time and the Tiller Tamer made raising the main much less hassel. Both the furler and tiller tamer are quite easy to install. As mentioned previously, you'll either need a new headsail or have your existing one modified. You may want UV protection (sumbrella) added to your existing sail as well as the proper size bolt rope to fit the CDI foil. Since lead angle onto the furler drum (any furler) is very important, I found that a stanchion mount swiveling fairlead (West has them) works great to keep the proper lead angle.
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