I'm considering adding a head sail furling system to my '82 33' Hunter. On the Hunter site there are two systems listed: CDI & Spin-Tec. I would like some comments (good and bad) from sailors who have used either system. Thanks, Mark
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None today?
Your post suggests that there is not a furler today. That surprises me, I thought they came standard. I know my 1979 H37C has the original furler, a Hyde Streamstay, still in fine working condition. From my many years on HOW I have only read good things about Spin-Tec. I have also read some negative things about CDI. Something I wonder about. Why do I read that a lot of old continuous line furlers are replaced with drum furlers? I notice that a lot of racing yachts like Open 60s use a continuous line furler. These would seem to me to be much less prone to failures like drum wrap. The wheel can be much larger giving you better leverage. The downside is the line running down both sides of the boat(or doubled on one side) I suppose.
Your post suggests that there is not a furler today. That surprises me, I thought they came standard. I know my 1979 H37C has the original furler, a Hyde Streamstay, still in fine working condition. From my many years on HOW I have only read good things about Spin-Tec. I have also read some negative things about CDI. Something I wonder about. Why do I read that a lot of old continuous line furlers are replaced with drum furlers? I notice that a lot of racing yachts like Open 60s use a continuous line furler. These would seem to me to be much less prone to failures like drum wrap. The wheel can be much larger giving you better leverage. The downside is the line running down both sides of the boat(or doubled on one side) I suppose.
My new furler
I'm a recent new owner of a '83 37C, and the furler on it was shot. I replaced with a ProFurl unit which was appropriately sized by the Rigger. The retail price was about $3,300, but my guy (JP Boatworks in Sausalito, CA) charged approx $2,700 installed. Everyone I've talked to thinks the ProFurl is the best unit around.
I'm a recent new owner of a '83 37C, and the furler on it was shot. I replaced with a ProFurl unit which was appropriately sized by the Rigger. The retail price was about $3,300, but my guy (JP Boatworks in Sausalito, CA) charged approx $2,700 installed. Everyone I've talked to thinks the ProFurl is the best unit around.
CDI is not as robust as the Spin-tec
Mark: The CDI units are not nearly as robust as the Spin-tec. The Spin-tec unit is totally maintenance free. The biggest advantage is there are NO bearings in the top or bottom units. The Spin-tec unit also has a very large drum to make furling easier under load. They are also very reasonably priced.
Mark: The CDI units are not nearly as robust as the Spin-tec. The Spin-tec unit is totally maintenance free. The biggest advantage is there are NO bearings in the top or bottom units. The Spin-tec unit also has a very large drum to make furling easier under load. They are also very reasonably priced.
Furler
My research confirmed by Practical Sailor that Furlex is the best and Profurl was #2. Since Furlex is not available at a discount below list price I went with Profurl. It's available at discount (Defender or Sailnet) prices and I was able to install it myself. The CDI is crap and Spin-tec is not very popular although I haven't heard anything bad about it.
My research confirmed by Practical Sailor that Furlex is the best and Profurl was #2. Since Furlex is not available at a discount below list price I went with Profurl. It's available at discount (Defender or Sailnet) prices and I was able to install it myself. The CDI is crap and Spin-tec is not very popular although I haven't heard anything bad about it.
Ed, I think the problem with the continuous
is that they're fine for "furling" but tend to slip when the jib is "reefed" to a smaller size. At least that's been the experience of two friends of mine who recently switched to drums. The would reef down for example from a 150 to a 110 overlap but over time, strong winds and stronger loads the sail would slowly creep out to a larger size even with the furling line cleated off. That shouldn't ever happen with a drum system unless the drum goes south or something.
is that they're fine for "furling" but tend to slip when the jib is "reefed" to a smaller size. At least that's been the experience of two friends of mine who recently switched to drums. The would reef down for example from a 150 to a 110 overlap but over time, strong winds and stronger loads the sail would slowly creep out to a larger size even with the furling line cleated off. That shouldn't ever happen with a drum system unless the drum goes south or something.
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