Has anyone out there upgraded their Hood 810LD to the SL reefing model? If so, what was involved in changing out the drums? Were you satisfied with the result? Can this upgrade kit be purchased at a better price than from Hood (listed on their website @ $522). If so, where?
- Status
Same price I paid
That's about the same price that I paid a few years ago. The upgrade from the continuous loop is easy. Use the same extrusion. The head has the same dimensions. The problem that I have is still friction on the line where it passes through the deck. My roller head is located below the deck in the anchor locker and the line passes up through the deck at an angle. Otherwise, it is a great upgrade and gives you the ability to reef the jib, which the continuous loop does not permit.
That's about the same price that I paid a few years ago. The upgrade from the continuous loop is easy. Use the same extrusion. The head has the same dimensions. The problem that I have is still friction on the line where it passes through the deck. My roller head is located below the deck in the anchor locker and the line passes up through the deck at an angle. Otherwise, it is a great upgrade and gives you the ability to reef the jib, which the continuous loop does not permit.
Conversion success to SL drive unit
I did convert my continuous drive unit for an SL unit. It consist of changing the drum unit and the line as well. It was an easy task but Hodd never mentionned anything about the difference in the height of the drum. I had requested this information before doing and they guaranteed the drum would fit. After the initial installation even if I had noticed the difference in height, everything looked OK until I tried the unit with the wind in the sail! THe drum was rubbing on the top of the well. I had to grind some of the fiberglass to make the drive unit run smoothly from every angles. It took me a while to figure this out but now everything is working just great. The single drive is just the simpliest and most reliable system. I wonder why they ever used a continuous system! Good luck.
I did convert my continuous drive unit for an SL unit. It consist of changing the drum unit and the line as well. It was an easy task but Hodd never mentionned anything about the difference in the height of the drum. I had requested this information before doing and they guaranteed the drum would fit. After the initial installation even if I had noticed the difference in height, everything looked OK until I tried the unit with the wind in the sail! THe drum was rubbing on the top of the well. I had to grind some of the fiberglass to make the drive unit run smoothly from every angles. It took me a while to figure this out but now everything is working just great. The single drive is just the simpliest and most reliable system. I wonder why they ever used a continuous system! Good luck.
- Status