Anyone want to comment on how effective is a prefeeder in making it easier to raise a headsail with a luff tape. I switched to a new furling system this past year and was expecting it to be easier to raise the sail given that I had a new foil and all. The sail goes up, but with more friction than I'd expected. I am wondering if a prefeeder is part of the solution. Thanks, Kevin
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J
J. Tesoriero
Check your luff tape/boltrope size.
Could be that you have a mismatch betwen the size of the groove on your new foils and the size (diameter)of the luff tape/boltrope on your sail. Check with the furler manufacturer or your sail maker. A pre-feeeder will give the proper lead angle as your sail enters the groove in the foil and will make raising the sail easier but should have little to do with friction.
Could be that you have a mismatch betwen the size of the groove on your new foils and the size (diameter)of the luff tape/boltrope on your sail. Check with the furler manufacturer or your sail maker. A pre-feeeder will give the proper lead angle as your sail enters the groove in the foil and will make raising the sail easier but should have little to do with friction.
T
Tim
Tape Size
I concur with the previous posting. A prefeeder only prefeeds, or aligns the luff tape with the foil, it can make hoisting easier by not allowing the tape to catch on the foil feeder. When you changed furlers, did you change Luff Tapes? Not all furlers use the same size tape. #6 is the most common, but Profurl uses different size tapes in their different size furlers, as did the old Hyde Stream stays. Furlex also varies from model to model. Harken, Hood, and Scheafer use #6 mostly. What unit did you replace? and with what? I may be able to shed some light.
I concur with the previous posting. A prefeeder only prefeeds, or aligns the luff tape with the foil, it can make hoisting easier by not allowing the tape to catch on the foil feeder. When you changed furlers, did you change Luff Tapes? Not all furlers use the same size tape. #6 is the most common, but Profurl uses different size tapes in their different size furlers, as did the old Hyde Stream stays. Furlex also varies from model to model. Harken, Hood, and Scheafer use #6 mostly. What unit did you replace? and with what? I may be able to shed some light.
K
Kevin
I have a #6 tape
My headsails have a #6 tape and I installed a Hood Seafurl unit with a #6 foil slot. So everyting is OK. To add more detail to my original post. I suspect that most of my friction is at the foil feeder since the sails drop very quickly. Also, I am looking to set it up so that changing sails single handed will be easier which is my second reason for asking the question. Thanks, Kevin
My headsails have a #6 tape and I installed a Hood Seafurl unit with a #6 foil slot. So everyting is OK. To add more detail to my original post. I suspect that most of my friction is at the foil feeder since the sails drop very quickly. Also, I am looking to set it up so that changing sails single handed will be easier which is my second reason for asking the question. Thanks, Kevin
B
Bob
E
Ed Allen
you need the feeder
using the feeder eliminates a lot of load as the sail tries to find is way to the slot. its a cheap way to go and you will be glad. the other sugestions for lube ect. are good too!
using the feeder eliminates a lot of load as the sail tries to find is way to the slot. its a cheap way to go and you will be glad. the other sugestions for lube ect. are good too!
V
Vic
Even with a decent prefeeder ...
it is still not like a hank on head sail ... and if it is windy you still have to hand feed the prefeeder. here is where the word "Crew" comes into play. Vic "Seven"
it is still not like a hank on head sail ... and if it is windy you still have to hand feed the prefeeder. here is where the word "Crew" comes into play. Vic "Seven"
T
Tim
Try the PreFeeder
Actually, prefeeders eliminate the need to hand feed sails into the slot. Every raceboat using a foil will have a prefeeder to make changing sails more efficient. If your sail drops easily, a prefeeder is probably the ticket. Hood Yacht systems offer a large and small Preefeeder as an accessory, contact them for the proper size. Their Tel# is(813)885-2182. Harken also offers one that would work for you and you may be able to pick one up at your local marine store.
Actually, prefeeders eliminate the need to hand feed sails into the slot. Every raceboat using a foil will have a prefeeder to make changing sails more efficient. If your sail drops easily, a prefeeder is probably the ticket. Hood Yacht systems offer a large and small Preefeeder as an accessory, contact them for the proper size. Their Tel# is(813)885-2182. Harken also offers one that would work for you and you may be able to pick one up at your local marine store.
K
Kevin
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