Luff tape substitute

[RobG]

I'm looking at a Schafer Snap Furl or a CDI Flexable Furler both of which require (#5 & #6)luff tape on the head sail. My present system is a Schafer free flying furler on which the head sail (brand new last season) furles on a luff wire pulled tight between the drum and head spindal with a halyard. If I go for the systems above could I substitute the wire with the proper sized bolt rope in the "pocket" along the luff of the sail? It wouldn't be sewn in tight but if it was snug enough in the luff tube it seems like it would work. Thanks in advance for your feed back!

 

[Bob]

Another approach

It might be easier to attach Kiwi Slides to the sail - They can be sewn on and removed later if necessary. Only problem with them is they don't come in #5, the smallest size is #6. That rules out the Snap-Furl.

 

[Joe]

Local sailmaker can

take care of that for you. Shouldn't be to difficult to sew a luff tape over the existing wire. Maybe $6.00 per foot or so, call around and get some estimates.