While hoisting a jib on my CDI furler I got fed up with holding the down haul line down taught with one hand while tying knots to hold it in place with the other hand to keeping it from slipping. What I did was: First I added a small block to the D shackle on the drum. Than I attached a shroud horn cleat to the downhaul line the same as you would attach it to a shroud. I took the line with the cleat attached and put a bowline in the tack of jib. Then bring it up thru the block and cleat it off on the shroud cleat. Works fast and easy and it sure beats tying knots with one hand
may be of interest to CDI owners
- Thread starter bffatcat
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CDI furler
I just got a new CDI flex furler installed, and it came with a small block already installed for the down haul. Maybe they stole your idea.
I just got a new CDI flex furler installed, and it came with a small block already installed for the down haul. Maybe they stole your idea.
The designer didn't like it either
I bought a CDI too, and I didn't like the fact that I had to tie a knot one-handed. I thought I was missing something, that I just wasn't doing it right, so I called CDI for some technical help. I told the guy who answered that I had a technical question, and he offered to help. "Oh good," thinks I, "the receptionist is going to help...." I explained the issue, and the guy actually got a little huffy with me; that it shouldn't be so hard, just hold the tension on the halyard with one finger, and tie a knot with the other hand, yada, yada. Turns out that the guy who answered the phone was actually the designer of the unit, and he eventually admitted that he agreed it wasn't the best system. In fact, he wanted to have a cleat screwed to the unit so the line could be tied off after going through the d-ring on the base; however, "the marketing guys" one that battle, so the few units that made it out the door with the cleat were the only ones. He sent me (free of course) a cleat and screws for my unit. Nice guy.
I bought a CDI too, and I didn't like the fact that I had to tie a knot one-handed. I thought I was missing something, that I just wasn't doing it right, so I called CDI for some technical help. I told the guy who answered that I had a technical question, and he offered to help. "Oh good," thinks I, "the receptionist is going to help...." I explained the issue, and the guy actually got a little huffy with me; that it shouldn't be so hard, just hold the tension on the halyard with one finger, and tie a knot with the other hand, yada, yada. Turns out that the guy who answered the phone was actually the designer of the unit, and he eventually admitted that he agreed it wasn't the best system. In fact, he wanted to have a cleat screwed to the unit so the line could be tied off after going through the d-ring on the base; however, "the marketing guys" one that battle, so the few units that made it out the door with the cleat were the only ones. He sent me (free of course) a cleat and screws for my unit. Nice guy.
My last boat
had a CDI. There are no doubt advantages to simplicity, but it was a real pain to raise the sail due to the tiny integral halyard. So much so that I dreaded dealing with it and couldn't imagine needing to make a sail change in any kind of wind. Furthermore, the flexible foil tended to pulsate at certain wind speeds and nothing I did made it go away (tightening back stay, tensioning the sail, etc...).
I called CDI when I first got my last boat. The drum was popping up out of the cup causing me no end of trouble. I called to get technical help and spoke to a person there. They were no help. I even asked "is there anything that is supposed to hold the drum down?" to no avail. I finally go the previous owner to stop by and it took him five seconds to recognize that a pin that passes through the foil to hold the drum down was missing.
Beyond the halyard issue the furler worked well and once the drum issue got sorted I had no more problems with it.
had a CDI. There are no doubt advantages to simplicity, but it was a real pain to raise the sail due to the tiny integral halyard. So much so that I dreaded dealing with it and couldn't imagine needing to make a sail change in any kind of wind. Furthermore, the flexible foil tended to pulsate at certain wind speeds and nothing I did made it go away (tightening back stay, tensioning the sail, etc...).
I called CDI when I first got my last boat. The drum was popping up out of the cup causing me no end of trouble. I called to get technical help and spoke to a person there. They were no help. I even asked "is there anything that is supposed to hold the drum down?" to no avail. I finally go the previous owner to stop by and it took him five seconds to recognize that a pin that passes through the foil to hold the drum down was missing.
Beyond the halyard issue the furler worked well and once the drum issue got sorted I had no more problems with it.
CDI comments continued
Once you change sails a few times and get used to the tricky halyard it becomes easier. I do not like to sail to weather with a half rolled up jib where the
luff winds up in the middle of the sail. I change jibs regularly with no help.
Takes me about 10 min. im 71. I like this furler a lot I find it to be reliable and trouble free. Its easier now with the shroud cleet on the downhaul. NO more
one handed knot tying.
Once you change sails a few times and get used to the tricky halyard it becomes easier. I do not like to sail to weather with a half rolled up jib where the
luff winds up in the middle of the sail. I change jibs regularly with no help.
Takes me about 10 min. im 71. I like this furler a lot I find it to be reliable and trouble free. Its easier now with the shroud cleet on the downhaul. NO more
one handed knot tying.
Strange - the bearings in CDI furlers would never need repacking.
They are dry when assembled, and their manual doesn't recommend packing them with anything but a rinse of clean water.
They are dry when assembled, and their manual doesn't recommend packing them with anything but a rinse of clean water.
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