HOOD 800 SL FURLER recommendations?

[Rene Schmidt]

I am contemplating purchasing a HOOD 800 SL roller furling unit (on sale at Boat US for $949). Does anyone have any experience with this unit? Would this be an appropriate model for a Hunter 285? What are the advantage/disadvantages of this unit, versus higher priced models?Thanx in advance!!Rene Schmidt

 

[Stephen Ostrander]

Hood system

I had the 800 series on my 28.5, but I had the continuos line (CL?) model. If I still had it I would probably update it to the SL type with the kit that Hood sells, but that's not an issue for you. It always performed well for me. You might be able to use the 700 series model on your boat.

 

[Paul Akers]

Slippage

I had the continuous loop on my L37 and finally got rid of it for the SL. You may notice that they may not advertise the CL as a "reefing" furler but as a "roller" furler. The unit will tend to slip when it's reefed after a while. This is because, with age, the line will stretch and become thinner. The teeth on the drum won't grip the line well and slippage occurs. When I mentioned the slippage problem to a Hood rep at a boat show, he was quick to offer me a discount on an upgrade after he explained the problem to me.

 

[Bryan C.]

So far so goo

I coverted the CL Hood system to the 800 SL furler about 6 months ago. While the coversion was more of a problem than I had expected (or probably should have been), cost wise it made sense compared to buying a new unit. So far the 800 SL has been working fine.

 

[Kenny Logsdon]

Try the 700 SL

Rene, I just installed a Hood 700 SL on our 28.5 and the intstallation went very well. We purchaed it directly from Hood in December for $461.00. I thought this was a deal since the best I found it anywhere was $670.00. I understood the 800SL was a little oversized for the 28.5 and the guys at Hood recommended the 700SL. There are several 28.5s and 290s in our marina with 700SL. Can't wait to try mine out. For anyone interested I have a CDI system for sale.Good LuckKenny H28.5 "St. Somewhere"klogsdon@prodigy.net