I've read all the archived stuff on this subject and still find this decision a difficult one to make. Most seesm to like there CDI system (flexible furler), but I am told by a local sailmaker that the CDI can be trouble and that The Schaefer system is the way to go. The problems he spoke of include 2 instances of de-masting due to the fact that the CDI has no swivel aloft. He claims the internal halyard can cause problems in high winds. he also claims that CDI system is not a true reefer. But,...he also sells the Scheafer systems. I can;t find much on the Schaefer system on-line, but everything I did find rated it very highly for dependability and ease of use. Ther prices are comparable. Does anyone have anything to add to this subject?
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Schaefer
I did allot of research, when I decided to put a roller furling on my 260, and I went with the Schaefer Snap Furl. It was rated the best by Practical Sailor. It was easy to install, and I bought it from Sailnet, at a much cheaper price than the CDI unit. I think what turned me off from the CDI unit was the horror story I read about it breaking, and the guy almost losing his mast. The snap furl goes over the exixting headstay without modification. Just my 2 cents. Dan S/V Unruly Julie
I did allot of research, when I decided to put a roller furling on my 260, and I went with the Schaefer Snap Furl. It was rated the best by Practical Sailor. It was easy to install, and I bought it from Sailnet, at a much cheaper price than the CDI unit. I think what turned me off from the CDI unit was the horror story I read about it breaking, and the guy almost losing his mast. The snap furl goes over the exixting headstay without modification. Just my 2 cents. Dan S/V Unruly Julie
Question for Dan
I'm inclined to agree with you Dan, having done a fair ammount of research myself. I have heard the demasting stories as well. However, another consideration I didn't mention is that the Schaefer system uses your jib halyard and, although I have yet to use it, I have a cruizing spinaker that I will want to use one day. This would require a halyard of course. Just trying to plan for the future. Thanks
I'm inclined to agree with you Dan, having done a fair ammount of research myself. I have heard the demasting stories as well. However, another consideration I didn't mention is that the Schaefer system uses your jib halyard and, although I have yet to use it, I have a cruizing spinaker that I will want to use one day. This would require a halyard of course. Just trying to plan for the future. Thanks
CDI for 7 years no problems
I had a CDI system on my H19 and now on the H260 and never had a problem with it. It slips over the forstay and is very easy to manage. Jim S/V Java
I had a CDI system on my H19 and now on the H260 and never had a problem with it. It slips over the forstay and is very easy to manage. Jim S/V Java
Halyard
John The H260 has provisions for a spinaker halyard, so that's not a problem as far as using the Shaefer reefing system goes. Dan
John The H260 has provisions for a spinaker halyard, so that's not a problem as far as using the Shaefer reefing system goes. Dan
H23 Halyards
John, If you have the Z-Spar mast for your H23, You may already have provisions for a Spinnaker halyard in place. The fitting which held the forestay for my H23 mast had 2 sheaves in it, one under the forestay (for the jib) and one over the forestay (for the spinnaker). When I replaced the mast base casting for my H23, I also added an extra sheave at the lower end of the mast, in case I ever wanted to add a spin halyard. It was pretty easy to do, once you get the castings out! I can't weigh in on your furler question; I'm still hanking them on... Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
John, If you have the Z-Spar mast for your H23, You may already have provisions for a Spinnaker halyard in place. The fitting which held the forestay for my H23 mast had 2 sheaves in it, one under the forestay (for the jib) and one over the forestay (for the spinnaker). When I replaced the mast base casting for my H23, I also added an extra sheave at the lower end of the mast, in case I ever wanted to add a spin halyard. It was pretty easy to do, once you get the castings out! I can't weigh in on your furler question; I'm still hanking them on... Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
Harken?
I rarely see the Harken mentioned here. We used to sail a larger boat (h26 now) with a Harken roller furler. Our H26 came with a CDI and it seems I'm constantly working on it. The main problem I have is the housing slipping off the drum and chafing my lines. The Harken was top notch. The upkeep and maintenance was easy, the system very straight forward. Just what you would expect from Harken. I don't know if they have a system that lends itself to taking down and putting up the mast as easily as with the CDI, but if they do, or if they come up with one in the future, I know I'll be switching back to Harken. By the way, I don't work for Harken, just like their products.
I rarely see the Harken mentioned here. We used to sail a larger boat (h26 now) with a Harken roller furler. Our H26 came with a CDI and it seems I'm constantly working on it. The main problem I have is the housing slipping off the drum and chafing my lines. The Harken was top notch. The upkeep and maintenance was easy, the system very straight forward. Just what you would expect from Harken. I don't know if they have a system that lends itself to taking down and putting up the mast as easily as with the CDI, but if they do, or if they come up with one in the future, I know I'll be switching back to Harken. By the way, I don't work for Harken, just like their products.
Harken
Gerard I agree with you, the Harken is a very nice furling unit. Unfortunately it was twice the price of the Schaefer, and thus out of my price range. The Shafer Snap Furl was $326 on sale with a free furling line kit from Sailnet. The sail modifications were $340. The best price I could find for the Harken was about $750. Dan
Gerard I agree with you, the Harken is a very nice furling unit. Unfortunately it was twice the price of the Schaefer, and thus out of my price range. The Shafer Snap Furl was $326 on sale with a free furling line kit from Sailnet. The sail modifications were $340. The best price I could find for the Harken was about $750. Dan
Decision Made
Well I made the big decision yesterday and went with the Schaefer Snap-Furl 500. The best price I found was at Performance Yachts (pyacht.com). The cost for the system was not as low as other places (ie. Sailnet & Rigging Only) but the shiping was much less and brought the bottom line down well below everyone else. Thanks for everyones help and comments. I'll let you know how the installation and genoa modification go. John
Well I made the big decision yesterday and went with the Schaefer Snap-Furl 500. The best price I found was at Performance Yachts (pyacht.com). The cost for the system was not as low as other places (ie. Sailnet & Rigging Only) but the shiping was much less and brought the bottom line down well below everyone else. Thanks for everyones help and comments. I'll let you know how the installation and genoa modification go. John
hunter 23
John, Are you in Lake Allatoona ,Georgia? how s sailing there? Small lake? good place to sail? you keep boat at home or at the Marina, and how much is the fees?I maymove to ATL,how's the boating there? good ? thaks
John, Are you in Lake Allatoona ,Georgia? how s sailing there? Small lake? good place to sail? you keep boat at home or at the Marina, and how much is the fees?I maymove to ATL,how's the boating there? good ? thaks
Lake Allatoona
There are 2 lakes in the Atlanta area worth sailing on. One is Lake Lanier and the other is Lake Allatoona where I have just stared keeping my H23. I have been there less than a month, but I like it more and more. There is a good group of sailors there in the Southwinds Sailing Club and the fees are reasonable. Any lake could always be bigger, and the same goes for this one. Lanier is bigger, but it is also more popular and therefore has more traffic. Allatoona is plenty big for me right now and my boat is now only 15 mins for my house, so I'll sail more. Let me know if you do decide to make the move, I'll be glad to offer more of my local knowledge. John
There are 2 lakes in the Atlanta area worth sailing on. One is Lake Lanier and the other is Lake Allatoona where I have just stared keeping my H23. I have been there less than a month, but I like it more and more. There is a good group of sailors there in the Southwinds Sailing Club and the fees are reasonable. Any lake could always be bigger, and the same goes for this one. Lanier is bigger, but it is also more popular and therefore has more traffic. Allatoona is plenty big for me right now and my boat is now only 15 mins for my house, so I'll sail more. Let me know if you do decide to make the move, I'll be glad to offer more of my local knowledge. John
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