I own 1986 Hunter-23 with snap on jib, I would like to install CDI FF2 roller furler, one of sail wearhouses offers pakages for popular boats ( furler and new sail), they claim that I can use existing headstay and install unit myself, my concern is about chinplate which is located on the bow but billow deck level, do I have to shorten headstay?, order new one?, any sugestions? Jerzy.
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Jerzy - You from Jersey?
You can do both. There are some places which will shorten your forestay for you and give you an extension for the chainplate to keep the furler above the deck, for a price, of course. I elected to put mine below deck in the anchor locker. The main reason was cost. First, cost of not having to shorten the stay or adding the chainplate extension. Second is the Genoa I use on the furler is so tall I would have had to spend extra money to have it cut down to fit on the shortened stay. This may be a factor for you as well and not something you should overlook. The only modification I had to do is cut a round hole in the anchor locker doors to accomodate the furler. On thing negative I will say about putting the CDI furler below deck is you will never get the furling line to enter the drum at the right angle. If you choose to put the furler inside the locker, I recommend you spend the extra 50 dollars and get the FF2 with the ball bearing kit.
You can do both. There are some places which will shorten your forestay for you and give you an extension for the chainplate to keep the furler above the deck, for a price, of course. I elected to put mine below deck in the anchor locker. The main reason was cost. First, cost of not having to shorten the stay or adding the chainplate extension. Second is the Genoa I use on the furler is so tall I would have had to spend extra money to have it cut down to fit on the shortened stay. This may be a factor for you as well and not something you should overlook. The only modification I had to do is cut a round hole in the anchor locker doors to accomodate the furler. On thing negative I will say about putting the CDI furler below deck is you will never get the furling line to enter the drum at the right angle. If you choose to put the furler inside the locker, I recommend you spend the extra 50 dollars and get the FF2 with the ball bearing kit.
Shorten and above locker
I installed a CDI ff2 on my '85 last spring. I went the chain plate extension route and shortened the forestay because it was / is always a bitch to get my "fat" hands into the locker to attach the forestay. It cut about 1/2 hour from the rigging rodeo that launching always seams to be. I got some chain plate from West marine, don't remember the length, 8"-9" I think. That got the spool above the locker and still allows the locker to operate. I bought my kit from Sailwarehouse and the only headsail had a 25' luff, so it would have nbeen considerably "short". All things considered, from shortening the launch to the convienience of the furler, it was a way good investment.
I installed a CDI ff2 on my '85 last spring. I went the chain plate extension route and shortened the forestay because it was / is always a bitch to get my "fat" hands into the locker to attach the forestay. It cut about 1/2 hour from the rigging rodeo that launching always seams to be. I got some chain plate from West marine, don't remember the length, 8"-9" I think. That got the spool above the locker and still allows the locker to operate. I bought my kit from Sailwarehouse and the only headsail had a 25' luff, so it would have nbeen considerably "short". All things considered, from shortening the launch to the convienience of the furler, it was a way good investment.
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