H23 furling jib

[Craig]

I am buying a Harken 00AL furler for my 1986 H23. I also want to buy a furling jib or genoa. Without the furler, I cannot make a "pin to pin" measurement to determine the jib/genoa dimensions. Is there any reason I can't buy the sail first and then have the furler installed to fit the jib/genoa? I realize that this reverses the typical process, but it seems like this would work. Right now I'm stuck in a chicken and egg situation and it's almost sailing season. Thanks for your help.Craig

 

[John]

Luff dimension

You really should measure your forestay before you buy a sail. You don't need the new furler for that. I just bought a CDI furler for my 1986 H23 and I'm having a sail reworked to fit. I can't find my measurements, but I know with the CDI you have a 13.5" deduction for the furler so on mine any sail with a 26' or less luff would fit. I have no idea of the reduction on the Harken, again you really should try and get that measurement off your own boat before you buy a sail.

 

[Bill Leathen]

Luff dimension

I have a H23 and a Harken model 00 roller furling system. I also have a 135 genny that fits the system. I am picking the boat up from storage on sunday assuming the weather remains as predicted. I will measure my sail and let you know. In my case, the roller furling drum is above the anchor locker. I believe some have mounted the roller furler in the anchor locker, (although I have no idea how they did it), so keep that in mind when you do the work. It may be better to have the furler mounted and then take the measurment on your boat, rather than to rely that my set up and your set up will be the same. Just a thought. (ie. if I were a lawyer and gave you information that is not suitable for your situation, there is no way that I am responsible for your situation.)

 

[Craig]

headstay length

Bill and John,Thanks for your responses. My forestay measures 28' 3", however Hunter Marine just told me that it should be 27' 11 3/4". I'm sure the forestay is original (1986) and the turnbuckle positiom accounts for some of the difference, but is it possible that the forestay stretched about 3"?

 

[John Schaub]

Headstay length

I doubt very seriously that your forestay stretched 3 inches. From what I’ve read the older boats might have come with longer forestays as the mast was racked back further than some of the newer boats. This may contribute to the heavy weather helm on the boat. If you’re installing the furler above the deck you have to add 12 inches link plates and have the forestay shortened by 12 inches. You could go ahead and have the additional 3 inches removed at that time if you want.