H37C furler options.

[Ed Schenck]

I hope I am not asking a question already answered. I did review the "Evolution" document and also did a Search on "furler". If I read it right the early boats had the Hyde Streamstay solid rod furler like my '79. Then Hunter swiitched to the CDI. In search I found that one of you replaced a CDI with a ProFurl( http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=320844&highlight=furler ). Have any of the rest of you replaced your original furlers on the H37C? And if yes, what brand and why? Some brands are just out of sight price wise like the Schaefer and Furlex.

 

[Johnb]

When I bought my '83 back in '99 it did not have a headsail furler, and I assumed it never did. The jib had however been converted from a furler to a hank on, so maybe the original furler became unservicable and was abandoned. But I never figured it was the original jib. In 2002 I got a Schaefer, recomended by the boat yard. I am completely happy with it.

 

[sail_4_me]

I'm also planning to replace the aged CDI, with a Harken Mark IV furler. I chose this model because of its mid-range price, ability to hoist 2 sails, and the independant halyard swivels that are supposed to improve sail shape when reefed. By the end of last year I was going forward to help the CDI furl/unfurl, what a pain.

http://www.harkenstore.com/html/MKIV-FS-furling_product-brochure-LR.pdf

Thing about the old CDI, is that it's got its own halyard on a wire, so the only jib Halyard I have is typically used for the spinnaker. With almost every new furler unit ( except the Spin-tec ) I need to rig a new halyard, and a cleat

And of course the forestay is 28 years old, so it should be replaced....and if I'm replacing the forestay I should do the backstay...and...and....

 

[sandpiper10471]

The PO had already replaced the CDI with a Harken unit when I acquired the boat. From past experience, if I were to replace the Harken, it would be with a Profurl. Had one on my 65' and it was bullet proof over four years of sailing the tropics. It was old when I got it.
The Harken has an airfoil shape which is good for performance but that shape makes it harder to start the furl in a big wind. The round foils found on others like the Profurl are easier to start the wrap at the expense of a miniscule bit of sail performance. Of course our headsails are not big so perhaps ease of use is not an issue for you. Price always seems to play a big part.

 

[Bill1565]

PO had installed a Harken cruising unit. Works well except in a breeze, the small drum makes the first few turns very hard.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Don't like to hear "small drum" Bill. That's a problem with my Hyde and the reason I am leaning toward the older Hood 700 model or the ProFurl. I would like to purchase a Harken from here on SBO but they are $700. more than the aforementioned and now you write "small drum"!

 

[Bill1565]

I have the "Cruising unit", not the MK IV-2. Don't know what drum size is on those

 

[Blaise]

I replaced the Hyde unit on Midnight Sun with a Harken unit 1 about 25 years ago. It has a split drum so you can use full hoist sails if you want to. I probably have 25000 ocean miles on it and have never done any thing to it except hose it off. It is the only thing on my boat that has moving parts that I haven't worn out. (I am on my second pedestal for example) For you guys with small drums, try tightening your headstay. Headstay sag makes any furler harder to turn. I roller furl a 135% which is 23 feet long on the foot, without issue, with a small drum.

 

[Ed Schenck]

So Blaise, appears that you and Bill have the same furler: http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?14022/Cruising+Unit+1+Furler . If you look at the link what else is required from the options list? Since I have to add a forestay this is going to get expensive. Oh, and I am assuming 9/32" wire and a 1/2" pin.

 

[Bill1565]

My boat has the long link plates which raise the tack to nearly pulpit height. Not sure they are necessary, but boat came that way. I use blocks hose clamped to the stanchions to lead the furling line back. Chet P. had sleve bearing blocks shacled to the toe rai, but there was much rubbing on the stanchion bases. I went to ball bearing blocks further inboard to reduce the friction.

 

[Blaise]

Ed,
You can see my drum in the photos taken from the helicopter that are on the photo of your H37c thread. Yes my headstay is 9/32" with a half inch pin.

 

[Ed A]

I went with a hood 808 and loved it. big drum. with the big forward area on the cutter the bigger furler worked out great! Smooth, quick and not problem till the plane hit it.