Roller Furling advice wanted

[Jim Cook]

I am considering geting a roller furling. My boat previously had one but the last owners took it off. I'm new to sailing and have never used one, but since my interest is strictly pleasure sailing and not racing, I thought it would be nice. It would also make it easier to solo.I would appreciate any advice. Should I try to find a used one ( to keep my costs down). I already have one jib sail (left over from before) that is set-up for a RF. How can I tell if it can be used with a new system?Sincerely,JimC"Dream Chaser"

 

[mike]

definitely

If you're willing to spend the money, go for it. I have a 1977 O'Day 27 & it has the roller furling and it's great. Why bother running up forward (especially with a tiller) and screwing around with a jib sail? The furling system also allows you to reef the jib and to get it rolled up in nasty weather. As far as modifying your present sail, I don't know. Furling sails attach to the mechanism in a different way. Another tip -- I have the continuous line furling system -- avoid it. It's a pain and offers no real advantage.

 

[Eric Blackburn]

RF advice

We have an O'Day 30 (1983). I wouldn't sail without RF. Besides alieviating a major storage problem with hank on sails, RF adds a great deal of safety on board, under sail in heavy weather and especially single handing which I have done quite a bit of. My wife and I installed a Profurl unit in a single Saturday, in fact we sailed her in the late afternoon. The unit works well and won't break the bank new. We had it for 4 seasons, and it still looks and operates new. If you intend to keep the boat for awhile, go new, they have improved quite a bit since their inception. Good luck

 

[Herb Schiessl]

Luff Tape Size?

Your old sail modification may not work on the newer foils. I plan to replace my old RF and found that the new foil grooves would not fit my older, larger luff tape. Luff tape is measured in 1/32nds, so a #6 is 6/32 or 3/8ths inch. To change the luff tape may cost $150-$200 per sail.

 

[jigs]

roller furl

I intalled the pro furl on my o'day 27 and it is great. It becomes one of those things you can't live without, like a dodger or an auto pilot.

 

[Kevin]

Get it!

I recently purchased a CDI furling for my O'Day 192. I had a CDI on my Catalina 25. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and increase the value of your boat. It makes solo sailing a breeze and makes docking your boat much easier with your jib and lines on the fore deck. In addition it's much safer to stay in the cockpit while raising and dropping the front sail. For the best price go to Linthicum Sail Makers.com.Brad will give you a 20% winter discount on it and ship it to you in 30 days. However, you need to send him your jib (or genoa) and headstay. He sews in a sun cover and provides all the hardware. Let me know if you have trouble locating his website. Kevinkellyhome2000@msn.com