Headsail furler for '77 O'day 25

[Paul Prusakowski]

Hello,I am seriously considering my add on for the year to be a headsail furler. I am looking for any suggestions, experiences, etc. I have a '77 O'day 25 with Swing Keel. I have never used a furler before, and have only heard great things about them. Looking forward to your input before I jump into the project!Thanks.Paul E. PrusakowskiDot Calm

 

[Paul]

in the same boat

I'm in the process of having a furling installed on my 76 25' O'Day also. I spoke with a number of riggers as well as some folks from this website. I originally was planning a CDI but have since gone with the Harken after talking with the riggers and a few other local sailors. I have no experience with either but have just about everyone agree that the flexible furler does not reef as well as the Harken will. If you've owned your boat for long you know that when ever it blows more than 15 kts you have to reduce headsail if you want the crew to remain happy. Sailing in Long Island on multi day trips the reefing was important.What ever direction you go in you can expect to spend around 2,ooo +or- for the project. If your Genoa isn't in really good shape you may actually be better off with a new sail. The required modifications are going to cost around 500. I have a fin keel and it looks like the sail won't require shortening but its close so a swing keel probably will. I should be up and running in the next couple of weeks and can let you know how it works out.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

CDI

I have the CDI unit on my boat and have to say that I have never had an issue reefing with it. There is nothing wrong with the other units - Harken, Schaefer, Spintech (too big for your purposes, proably - but I like the simplicity of the CDI. I have a foam luff in my Genoa and it reefs beautifully.YMMV,Justin - O'day Owners' Web