Got to buy new Furler

[Mhkent]

I have a 1983 Irwin Citation 34 that I have completely refurbished bow to stern. I just found out I cannot repair my CDI Rigger 8/9.

Can I get suggestion on what would be a good furler replacement?

 

[Justin_NSA]

I don't know all of the different models out there. What are your expectations from a furler? The ability to change sails? Easy to partially furl? Ease of maintenance? Just to name a few .

 

[DougM]

I had a Profurl on my Bene323 and it was a good choice. It got destroyed while on the hard ( another story).
I would have replaced it with another Profurl, but got a good price on a Harken furler. In my opinion, either is a good choice. Its a matter of selecting one that is properly sized for the boat.
I am not familiar with CDI, but it seems a lot of owners have them. They just don’t appear to me to be as robust as some other brands.

 

[odaydokay]

Schaefer Sea Furl is what I replaced my CDI with. Big improvement especially in high winds.

 

[DrJudyB]

Schaefer Sea Furl is what I replaced my CDI with. Big improvement especially in high winds.

Schaefer makes a DIY-friendly furler Model called the ”Snap Furl”. Is that what you meant?

 

[jviss]

Schaefer Sea Furl is what I replaced my CDI with. Big improvement especially in high winds.

I think Sea Furl is a Hood product.

 

[DrJudyB]

CDI is the least expensive option and it’s a reliable piece of equipment.

You can’t go wrong with a Schaefer, Harken ESP (For cruising)or Mk4 for racing, Furlex by Selden, Profurl, Hood, Facnor or Alado .

They’re all good brands, and everybody likes the one they know best.

A few Major distinctions:

CDI and Alado have integrated halyards and don’t use an adjustable tension halyard. Pros: They can’t develop undesirable halyard wrap and don’t require any Halyard hardware modifications. Cons: More difficult to change headsails. You can’t adjust luff tension.

Racing furlers have two grooves for headsails swaps. And removable lower drum units. Cruisers rarely care about that.

CDI and Schaefer Snapfurl have plastic extrusions that are very Simplefor the DIY installer. Others have aluminum sections that must be assembled. Schaefer Snapfurl uses the boat’s Genoa halyard, just like most other furlers, but as I wrote previously, CDI does not.

All will last you 10-20 years with minimal maintenance. Flush the bearings top and bottom with fresh water after use.

Furlex (by Selden) comes as a Complete kit with a new forestay with very well written instructions for the competent DIY-er. If your forestay is old, you should consider replacing it at the same time you replace the furler.

 

[odaydokay]

I think Sea Furl is a Hood product.

My bad. I bought the Schaefer in late 90's so you are right, not a Seafurl , just was a model number at that time. Effort required in high winds vs. the CDI (1985) dropped like a stone. Still great today.

 

[DrJudyB]

My bad. I bought the Schaefer in late 90's so you are right, not a Seafurl , just was a model number at that time. Effort required in high winds vs. the CDI (1985) dropped like a stone. Still great today.

I sold both Schaefer and CDI furlers for many years, so I know them well. The CDIs aren’t any more difficult to furl than other brands, provided you get the right size and Order the optional ball bearings.

Id be willing to bet that odayokay didn’t have ball bearings or the right sized CDI. With a properly selected CDI FF6 with ball bearings On his ODay28, it would have been as easy/hard to furl as a properly selected Schaefer or Harken unit.

I always recommend getting the optional ball bearings with the CDI FF4, and FF6. Ball bearings are standard on the larger sizes. You don’t need Ball bearings for the FF1 and FF2 because the sails are so small.

And, no matter what brand you select, never, ever try to go one size smaller than recommended. If your boat is on the border between two sizes choose the larger size. Having a big roundhouse diameter drum is critical for providing enough mechanical advantage to furl easily.





Judy B

 

[odaydokay]

You hit the nail on the head as the selling point to go to the Schaefer was that my CDI did not have ball bearings and the Schaefer did. Yes, the brand may not be so much the deal but you got to have the balls...
(sorry, could not resist.)

 

[jviss]

you got to have the balls...

Most excellent.

 

[jviss]

I've had a Profurl, since it was new, and now a Harken Mk.II, which came with this boat. Both are excellent. I chose the Profurl because it was rated for furling while under load, which came in handy a few times. The Harken seems easier to furl, though. Both of them have balls.