Have purchased a LFF4 CDI roller Furler, that I hope to install on my 1986 Hunter 25.5 in the Spring. My 1st question is regarding the Headstay. I'm new to this upgrade procedure. I'm hoping anyone who has installed one can give me some insight. I plan to install it myself when raising the mast. 1) Does the Headstay need modification, of any kind, to the mast end fitting or the turnbuckle hardware that attaches at the bow. Some parts of the included instructions are on the gray side at times. 2) I also would like any suggestions or pitfalls....when measuring & cutting the flex luff for best fit. 3) Directions advise placing fairlead blocks on the Starboard side, if the UV protection is on that side. Does it matter? Most boats I ran across had them mounted on the Port side. Would not the sail be UV protected regardless of which side the fairleads run, Port or Starboard side? 4) I'm considering stanchion mount fairleads instead of drilling holes and mounting them to the deck. Any advantage to either? This is my first contact with a roller furler. I don't want to screw it up. Any and every suggestion to avoid mistakes would be greatly appreciated.
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FF4 Installation
Woody, I replaced an old furler unit on my 25.5 with a CDI FF4 a few months ago. Overall, the installation is pretty straightforward. I did it with the mast up, but I think it will be a bit easier for you if you do it when you raise the mast. I'll try to answer your questions based on my experience... 1. The headstay does not require any mod at all. The FF4 unit simply slides over it. 2. I measured for the flex luff just by attaching a tape measure to the jib halyard and raising it to the top and then measuring the distance to where the headstay connects at the bow. Be sure that you get the flex luff straight per the directions --- I don't think it is intended to be stored in the coiled state that they ship it in. It takes two strong people to straighten it. 3. The reason for the placement of the fairleads is due to which way you will wrap the furling line around the drum, which depends on which side of the sail the UV protector is. You want the furling line to have a stright shot at the first fairlead so that it will wind around the drum smoothly. 4. On my installation, the previous owner had set up the fairleads on the toe rail, and that seems to work just fine, so the stancion mounts will also probably work for you. If you need more information or have other questions, I'll be happy to tell you my experience with it. You can e-mail me at sailing-wrights at sbcglobal dot net (I spelled it out to try to keep the spammers at bay). I also found the guy at Cruising Direct to be very helpful -- I got some advice from him before I started the project.
Woody, I replaced an old furler unit on my 25.5 with a CDI FF4 a few months ago. Overall, the installation is pretty straightforward. I did it with the mast up, but I think it will be a bit easier for you if you do it when you raise the mast. I'll try to answer your questions based on my experience... 1. The headstay does not require any mod at all. The FF4 unit simply slides over it. 2. I measured for the flex luff just by attaching a tape measure to the jib halyard and raising it to the top and then measuring the distance to where the headstay connects at the bow. Be sure that you get the flex luff straight per the directions --- I don't think it is intended to be stored in the coiled state that they ship it in. It takes two strong people to straighten it. 3. The reason for the placement of the fairleads is due to which way you will wrap the furling line around the drum, which depends on which side of the sail the UV protector is. You want the furling line to have a stright shot at the first fairlead so that it will wind around the drum smoothly. 4. On my installation, the previous owner had set up the fairleads on the toe rail, and that seems to work just fine, so the stancion mounts will also probably work for you. If you need more information or have other questions, I'll be happy to tell you my experience with it. You can e-mail me at sailing-wrights at sbcglobal dot net (I spelled it out to try to keep the spammers at bay). I also found the guy at Cruising Direct to be very helpful -- I got some advice from him before I started the project.
Good Advice
The previous post is right on the money. I'd only reinforce the need to be careful in handling the flexible extrusion itself. There's a lot of potential energy stored in that coil, and it can attack if released too quickly. Also, the vendor I bought from advised against storing it coiled for more than a few weeks since there is a memory factor. In any event it takes two people to handle. Overall, it's a pretty easy installation. -Ed
The previous post is right on the money. I'd only reinforce the need to be careful in handling the flexible extrusion itself. There's a lot of potential energy stored in that coil, and it can attack if released too quickly. Also, the vendor I bought from advised against storing it coiled for more than a few weeks since there is a memory factor. In any event it takes two people to handle. Overall, it's a pretty easy installation. -Ed
Thanks Charles
Appreciate all the good info. Like you said, it seems pretty straight forward. I have ordered a new 135% Genoa for the furler from Doyle Sailmakers, rather then invest in modifying my old 100% jib sail. It will have UV protection strip, but not sure which side it's on. That never came up. Guess I'll not worry about it. You did mention running a tape up your halyard and measuring down to the bow. Did you subtract any for the loop at the top of the headstay and stop the measure..above the bow turnbuckle? Thanks again.
Appreciate all the good info. Like you said, it seems pretty straight forward. I have ordered a new 135% Genoa for the furler from Doyle Sailmakers, rather then invest in modifying my old 100% jib sail. It will have UV protection strip, but not sure which side it's on. That never came up. Guess I'll not worry about it. You did mention running a tape up your halyard and measuring down to the bow. Did you subtract any for the loop at the top of the headstay and stop the measure..above the bow turnbuckle? Thanks again.
Thanks MrEd
Good advice. I was very surprised when the box came, measuring only 5' By 5'. I did follow all the warning labels on the box and openned the coil with help. We had a few laughs....at times it was like fighting a Gator to the ground. It's laying flat in my basement for the Winter, but come Spring I'll have to do my best to coil it again (not as tight) in order to transport it in the back of my F150 truck. Thanks
Good advice. I was very surprised when the box came, measuring only 5' By 5'. I did follow all the warning labels on the box and openned the coil with help. We had a few laughs....at times it was like fighting a Gator to the ground. It's laying flat in my basement for the Winter, but come Spring I'll have to do my best to coil it again (not as tight) in order to transport it in the back of my F150 truck. Thanks
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