Roller Furler
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CDI
I have a 33 that I added a CDI furler to when I had the mast down for rerigging. It works great.
I have a 33 that I added a CDI furler to when I had the mast down for rerigging. It works great.
Same here...
I second MB's CDI recommendation, and put one on my 26' last year. I got a used unit with plastic extrusion for a song, purchased a jib conversion kit from SailRite (which includes the boltrope and tape), put a Sunbrella cover on the foot and leech, and have been very happy with the results.
I second MB's CDI recommendation, and put one on my 26' last year. I got a used unit with plastic extrusion for a song, purchased a jib conversion kit from SailRite (which includes the boltrope and tape), put a Sunbrella cover on the foot and leech, and have been very happy with the results.
Depends on the boat
My Catalina 30 had a CDI roller furling and I had a 150 jenny. In this case, the CDI was not a good choice, but it was on there when I bought the boat. The CDI was just a tad too small to handle the job at hand. There was a similar thread about this very same thing .....CDI.....a while back. Check the Archives. I was not alone in my feelings about CDI 0n a Catalina 30. Catalina 30's have a fairly large sail for a 30 footer. So, now we are back to "what kind of boat?" As for how hard to install.....not very, but with the CDI, it doesnt clamp around the stay. you have to remove it and make a change or two. At that point, if you dont know what you are doing, the track could slide down into the Gulf like a pile of spaghetti. Do it with someone that has done it before and it will go easily and quickly. Tony B
My Catalina 30 had a CDI roller furling and I had a 150 jenny. In this case, the CDI was not a good choice, but it was on there when I bought the boat. The CDI was just a tad too small to handle the job at hand. There was a similar thread about this very same thing .....CDI.....a while back. Check the Archives. I was not alone in my feelings about CDI 0n a Catalina 30. Catalina 30's have a fairly large sail for a 30 footer. So, now we are back to "what kind of boat?" As for how hard to install.....not very, but with the CDI, it doesnt clamp around the stay. you have to remove it and make a change or two. At that point, if you dont know what you are doing, the track could slide down into the Gulf like a pile of spaghetti. Do it with someone that has done it before and it will go easily and quickly. Tony B
Talk to Troy at Pro Sails
His number is 374-7777 or it was before the storm. I think they be in OS now rather than on Division Street. His email is prosails with the same outfit you are with (just to keep him from any additional spam)
His number is 374-7777 or it was before the storm. I think they be in OS now rather than on Division Street. His email is prosails with the same outfit you are with (just to keep him from any additional spam)
Roller furling installation
Don't let the absence of roller furling keep you from buying an otherwise acceptable boat. Roller furling has to be the most common upgrade on older boats; thousands of people have installed them on every type of sailboat. It doesn't matter if the boat is from the 50's or the '90's; there is an aftermarket unit available that will fit and will work. I have a CDI on my boat. It's been on there for four or five years, and I have never had a problem with the unit. I bought and installed the unit when the mast was down for storage. Makes everything much easier. One of the big advantages of the CDI is that you can probably use your existing headstay (some makes of furler will require that you cut your headstay to accomodate their units. The only caveat is that if your existing headstay is already as short as it can be adjusted, you may need to have it cut). I had my sailmaker put it together for me, not because it was too complicated, but because he offered to do so at a bargain price as I was buying the furler from him and having my jib modified by him and I had used his services before. Once it was assembled, I installed the unit on the mast, and the yard adjusted it when they mounted the mast.
Don't let the absence of roller furling keep you from buying an otherwise acceptable boat. Roller furling has to be the most common upgrade on older boats; thousands of people have installed them on every type of sailboat. It doesn't matter if the boat is from the 50's or the '90's; there is an aftermarket unit available that will fit and will work. I have a CDI on my boat. It's been on there for four or five years, and I have never had a problem with the unit. I bought and installed the unit when the mast was down for storage. Makes everything much easier. One of the big advantages of the CDI is that you can probably use your existing headstay (some makes of furler will require that you cut your headstay to accomodate their units. The only caveat is that if your existing headstay is already as short as it can be adjusted, you may need to have it cut). I had my sailmaker put it together for me, not because it was too complicated, but because he offered to do so at a bargain price as I was buying the furler from him and having my jib modified by him and I had used his services before. Once it was assembled, I installed the unit on the mast, and the yard adjusted it when they mounted the mast.
What kind of boat...
I'm keeping mum on this one until Nice N Easy and hubby have flown out to Sea trial her and check her all out and when they are sailing her home and not flying back I'll post pics and specs.I can't wait to do this, wringing my fingers in anticipation. Dont' want anyonne to snag her on me
It's looking good and I'm back to smiling... B/Seadancer
I'm keeping mum on this one until Nice N Easy and hubby have flown out to Sea trial her and check her all out and when they are sailing her home and not flying back I'll post pics and specs.I can't wait to do this, wringing my fingers in anticipation. Dont' want anyonne to snag her on me
It's looking good and I'm back to smiling... B/SeadancerI did some research for our Starwind 27 ...
I decided to get a Harken MKIV furler/reefer, which is a performance cruiser oriented furler. For our boat with a 7/32" head stay, we get the Unit 0. It has twin grooves for the ability to have 2 headsails up at a time. I decided on this one over Schaefer because of the twin grooves and you don't have to cut the head stay. The quality of these two manfacturers is what led me to considering these instead of the others. This is a piece of equipment that is worth spending money on the best quality if you are going to do it at all.
I decided to get a Harken MKIV furler/reefer, which is a performance cruiser oriented furler. For our boat with a 7/32" head stay, we get the Unit 0. It has twin grooves for the ability to have 2 headsails up at a time. I decided on this one over Schaefer because of the twin grooves and you don't have to cut the head stay. The quality of these two manfacturers is what led me to considering these instead of the others. This is a piece of equipment that is worth spending money on the best quality if you are going to do it at all.
Furlex and Hood
Hello, My last boat had a Furlex 100S furler. My new boat has a Hood. The Furlex worked better. It may be because the Furlex was in better condition, and was used with smaller sails. The Hood is not nearly as easy to furl as the Furlex was. Furlex still sells and supports the 100S. Barry
Hello, My last boat had a Furlex 100S furler. My new boat has a Hood. The Furlex worked better. It may be because the Furlex was in better condition, and was used with smaller sails. The Hood is not nearly as easy to furl as the Furlex was. Furlex still sells and supports the 100S. Barry
To add Roller Furling, or not
As already pointed out there are numerous brands of Roller Furlers (RFs) that you can have installed as an upgrade to a sailboat: Harken, Furlex anc CDI to name a few. You might consider just getting a boat without a RF jib/jenny system (hank on jib instead) and use it for a while until you are certain that you really need it. Since there is no current RF then the boat probably comes with a few different sized jibs that will give you sail plans that you CAN'T achieve with a RF setup. Some racing boats PREFER the hank on jibs as it is so much easier to change a sail on the fly then with RF. Of course with a RF setup it is easier to deploy the jib and you can reduce the sail area a bit as well but you will never have quite the same adaptability you had with hank on sails. The RF jib system only tries to approximate the use of the #1, #2, #3 etc jib system normally used with a hank on setup. Having said all that I DO have a Furlex RF system that does make deploying the jib pretty easy. I also have a bunch (3) of old jibs that I can't use now because the RF extrusions (sections that encase the fore stay) can't be used for hank on sails. I would have to bring the old jibs to a sailmaker to make them usable with the furler and then I would have 3 old sails that I could use as well (most people do not do this but just get a new sail designed for a RF setup - that costs enough). In short, the lack of RF on a prospective boat should not be a deal killer. Just expect to spend nearly $3K for the RF unit installed and a new sail. Good luck.
As already pointed out there are numerous brands of Roller Furlers (RFs) that you can have installed as an upgrade to a sailboat: Harken, Furlex anc CDI to name a few. You might consider just getting a boat without a RF jib/jenny system (hank on jib instead) and use it for a while until you are certain that you really need it. Since there is no current RF then the boat probably comes with a few different sized jibs that will give you sail plans that you CAN'T achieve with a RF setup. Some racing boats PREFER the hank on jibs as it is so much easier to change a sail on the fly then with RF. Of course with a RF setup it is easier to deploy the jib and you can reduce the sail area a bit as well but you will never have quite the same adaptability you had with hank on sails. The RF jib system only tries to approximate the use of the #1, #2, #3 etc jib system normally used with a hank on setup. Having said all that I DO have a Furlex RF system that does make deploying the jib pretty easy. I also have a bunch (3) of old jibs that I can't use now because the RF extrusions (sections that encase the fore stay) can't be used for hank on sails. I would have to bring the old jibs to a sailmaker to make them usable with the furler and then I would have 3 old sails that I could use as well (most people do not do this but just get a new sail designed for a RF setup - that costs enough). In short, the lack of RF on a prospective boat should not be a deal killer. Just expect to spend nearly $3K for the RF unit installed and a new sail. Good luck.
CDI is not the best choice.
CDI may be an okay choice for the right size boat, but it would be low on my list. I have one that came on my Hunter Vision 36 and it can barely be furled by hand, usually needs the winch. You may want to take a look at all of the other furlers that other were mentioned. There is also the Spin-tec units that are sold on this webiste. I will probably replace my CDI with one of these later this year.
CDI may be an okay choice for the right size boat, but it would be low on my list. I have one that came on my Hunter Vision 36 and it can barely be furled by hand, usually needs the winch. You may want to take a look at all of the other furlers that other were mentioned. There is also the Spin-tec units that are sold on this webiste. I will probably replace my CDI with one of these later this year.
The Cost of doing business
Have you ever noticed that similar quality items have relatively similar prices. That goes for radios, cars , jewelry, boats and just about anything else one can think of. Its the same with roller furling. No one company has any great cosmic secrets in manufacturing. They all have similar costs. Thats why CDI is one of the least expensive, if not THE least expensive RF units. Thats because it is an inexpensively manufactured unit and its quality is no where even close to the big name units. CDI will work fine for the smaller sails on 28 ft boats or less. On my Catalina 30, I had to install a cam cleat near my winch so I could pull it in slowly and take breaks.I also had to wear gloves to pull in the line. I will grant you that I only had to do that when the wind was over 20K, but we dont always have the luxury of getting the wind we want when we want it. Had I not lost my C30 to Katrina, my CDI Roller Furling was my next replacement. Tony B
Have you ever noticed that similar quality items have relatively similar prices. That goes for radios, cars , jewelry, boats and just about anything else one can think of. Its the same with roller furling. No one company has any great cosmic secrets in manufacturing. They all have similar costs. Thats why CDI is one of the least expensive, if not THE least expensive RF units. Thats because it is an inexpensively manufactured unit and its quality is no where even close to the big name units. CDI will work fine for the smaller sails on 28 ft boats or less. On my Catalina 30, I had to install a cam cleat near my winch so I could pull it in slowly and take breaks.I also had to wear gloves to pull in the line. I will grant you that I only had to do that when the wind was over 20K, but we dont always have the luxury of getting the wind we want when we want it. Had I not lost my C30 to Katrina, my CDI Roller Furling was my next replacement. Tony B
do it yourself furler
I installed a Schaffer 750 on my Mirage 27 last weekend. A 4 hr job. No single step is difficult, but many small steps well directed by the install manual. All you need to be able to do is use a tape measure, cut the old forestay with a hacksaw, and use a rivet gun.
I installed a Schaffer 750 on my Mirage 27 last weekend. A 4 hr job. No single step is difficult, but many small steps well directed by the install manual. All you need to be able to do is use a tape measure, cut the old forestay with a hacksaw, and use a rivet gun.
Seadance....
Like someone else said....don't stop buying a good boat just because it doesn't have roller furling. If you do buy the boat without roller furling, I would suggest calling Wes Stanley at West Marine's Jackson, MS store. Originally from Ocean Springs and an avid sailor, Wes regularly works fantastic deals for me and numerous other Mississippi Gulf Coast sailors. And because he and his wife still own a home in Ocean Springs, he personally deliveres most of the items we buy. Along with great service and excellent discount prices, Wes will also install the roller furling for you. His store number is 601-956-5501...at least give him a chance to bid...you won't regret it. Dick Dixon s/v CD EXPRESS Pascagoula, Mississippi
Like someone else said....don't stop buying a good boat just because it doesn't have roller furling. If you do buy the boat without roller furling, I would suggest calling Wes Stanley at West Marine's Jackson, MS store. Originally from Ocean Springs and an avid sailor, Wes regularly works fantastic deals for me and numerous other Mississippi Gulf Coast sailors. And because he and his wife still own a home in Ocean Springs, he personally deliveres most of the items we buy. Along with great service and excellent discount prices, Wes will also install the roller furling for you. His store number is 601-956-5501...at least give him a chance to bid...you won't regret it. Dick Dixon s/v CD EXPRESS Pascagoula, Mississippi
Great Improvement
I had my Ericson 29 for one year sailing it with hanked on jibs. She had a CDI furler that was not installed when I bought it and had no chance that first year. Had the yard install it (just no time) that first winter. For ease of sailing definitely one of the best enhancements you can do. While I know all the arguments for better sail shape and air flow with hanked on sails there is no disputing how quickly and easily you can douse the headsail with a furling unit. For the coastal cruising I do I would not want to go without it. The only thing I need now are lazy jacks to tame the mainsail when it comes down and I am all set. The number of world voyagers who use furlers I think is also a good testament to their usefulness and reliability. As I said I have a CDI unit and am very happy with it. I have never had to use the winch to furl it, always been able to do it by hand. An article in practical sailor although highly recommended Schaefer furlers. According to them these are the best. If she is a good boat and you like her otherwise get her. The furler is a really easy and common upgrade to make. Good Luck and Have Fun
I had my Ericson 29 for one year sailing it with hanked on jibs. She had a CDI furler that was not installed when I bought it and had no chance that first year. Had the yard install it (just no time) that first winter. For ease of sailing definitely one of the best enhancements you can do. While I know all the arguments for better sail shape and air flow with hanked on sails there is no disputing how quickly and easily you can douse the headsail with a furling unit. For the coastal cruising I do I would not want to go without it. The only thing I need now are lazy jacks to tame the mainsail when it comes down and I am all set. The number of world voyagers who use furlers I think is also a good testament to their usefulness and reliability. As I said I have a CDI unit and am very happy with it. I have never had to use the winch to furl it, always been able to do it by hand. An article in practical sailor although highly recommended Schaefer furlers. According to them these are the best. If she is a good boat and you like her otherwise get her. The furler is a really easy and common upgrade to make. Good Luck and Have Fun
maccauley
In reference to roller furling, you wrote " For the coastal cruising I do I would not want to go without it". Well, when you set up your lazy jacks, you will say the same thing. RF and lazy jacks not only make life much easier but a whole lot safer. Tony B
In reference to roller furling, you wrote " For the coastal cruising I do I would not want to go without it". Well, when you set up your lazy jacks, you will say the same thing. RF and lazy jacks not only make life much easier but a whole lot safer. Tony B
CDI
My H260 has a CDI unit that was installed before I bought it. It is the kind that has the nylon bushing insted of a bearing. These units are supposed to be maintanance free. This boat sat for quite some time with general neglect and disuse taking over (entropy at it's best). At first the unit was hard to furl or unfurl. I took a look up in the drum and it had been spider haven. Lots of old web/egg sacs and general dirt. After cleaning that out and shooting a bit of dry lube in there, it rolls like a champ. Overall I am happy with the unit. My father put one on his C27. He is happy with it and it was easy to install.
My H260 has a CDI unit that was installed before I bought it. It is the kind that has the nylon bushing insted of a bearing. These units are supposed to be maintanance free. This boat sat for quite some time with general neglect and disuse taking over (entropy at it's best). At first the unit was hard to furl or unfurl. I took a look up in the drum and it had been spider haven. Lots of old web/egg sacs and general dirt. After cleaning that out and shooting a bit of dry lube in there, it rolls like a champ. Overall I am happy with the unit. My father put one on his C27. He is happy with it and it was easy to install.
Higgs
Dont misunderstand me. My problem and other peoples problems with CDI is not the RF itself, its the roller furling when put on a boat larger than it was meant for. I havent looked at their ads recently, but they used to advertise for smaller boats than 30 footers. Think of the drum as a pulley or turning block.....the smaller the radius, the more force required. There is also a max. dia. of the line you can use. I dont remember if it was something like 5/16 or 3/8". When you really have to pull with all you got, that size line will cut your hands. The Catalina 30 150 Genny is quite a large sail. The drum was full without a foot to spare. At one time, mostly Mac people used CDI. For that size boat, and considering the price, it was an excellent choice. Its just not made for larger boats. Its relatively inexpensive compared to the other manufacturers and thats because it uses lesser quality parts, which again, is fine for a smaller boat. One time while single handing, I was trying to anchor in 35K winds without much protection. I could not get the CDI furler to roll in no matter what I did. I fianlly dropped anchor and had to deal with the jenny when at anchor. It was still a chore. IMHO Tony B
Dont misunderstand me. My problem and other peoples problems with CDI is not the RF itself, its the roller furling when put on a boat larger than it was meant for. I havent looked at their ads recently, but they used to advertise for smaller boats than 30 footers. Think of the drum as a pulley or turning block.....the smaller the radius, the more force required. There is also a max. dia. of the line you can use. I dont remember if it was something like 5/16 or 3/8". When you really have to pull with all you got, that size line will cut your hands. The Catalina 30 150 Genny is quite a large sail. The drum was full without a foot to spare. At one time, mostly Mac people used CDI. For that size boat, and considering the price, it was an excellent choice. Its just not made for larger boats. Its relatively inexpensive compared to the other manufacturers and thats because it uses lesser quality parts, which again, is fine for a smaller boat. One time while single handing, I was trying to anchor in 35K winds without much protection. I could not get the CDI furler to roll in no matter what I did. I fianlly dropped anchor and had to deal with the jenny when at anchor. It was still a chore. IMHO Tony B
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