I just purchased a 1994 Hunter 260 and would like to install a roller furling headsail. It has the standard headsail. It looks like CDI FF2's are the preferred choice. Can I install this myself? Can the original headsail be used?
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The short answer - Yes
Yes, you can install the CDI unit yourself, the instructions are very detailed and easy to follow. Yes, your headsail can be modified to work on the furler.
Yes, you can install the CDI unit yourself, the instructions are very detailed and easy to follow. Yes, your headsail can be modified to work on the furler.
Head Sail Furler
I have also been thinking about installing a CDI Roller Furler. Looking over the archive section, many Hunter 26 owners state that the Forestay needs to be shortend in order to install the furler. The manual gives the length of a 26 forestay as 30' 7 5/8". Is the CDI FF2 with a lenght of 29' the best model for this application? What is the best way to shorten the Forestay, what type of new fitting do you use and does the FF2 luff extrusion need to be shortend as well. I would like to avoid the problems with the drum that many others have had to correct after the inital installation. Any thoughts from sailors that, have been there, done that,would be appreciated. Thanks, J. R.
I have also been thinking about installing a CDI Roller Furler. Looking over the archive section, many Hunter 26 owners state that the Forestay needs to be shortend in order to install the furler. The manual gives the length of a 26 forestay as 30' 7 5/8". Is the CDI FF2 with a lenght of 29' the best model for this application? What is the best way to shorten the Forestay, what type of new fitting do you use and does the FF2 luff extrusion need to be shortend as well. I would like to avoid the problems with the drum that many others have had to correct after the inital installation. Any thoughts from sailors that, have been there, done that,would be appreciated. Thanks, J. R.
Forestay shortened
On my ’98 H26, I added two 5” tangs – between the bottom of the drum unit and the bow eye. That was necessary to raise the drum up above the deck. In doing that, the forestay had to be shortened.
On my ’98 H26, I added two 5” tangs – between the bottom of the drum unit and the bow eye. That was necessary to raise the drum up above the deck. In doing that, the forestay had to be shortened.
Forestay length and furler model
In researching this Mod I have come across many pieces of information. I still haven't run across the CDI Model and proper type of fitting necessary to complete this installation on a 1998 Hunter 26. Most everyone agrees the Forestay needs to be shortend, how much, what type of fitting? Accordingto the archive some have used a FF3 furler, however CDI doesn't list a FF3 model. Help. Thanks, J. R.
In researching this Mod I have come across many pieces of information. I still haven't run across the CDI Model and proper type of fitting necessary to complete this installation on a 1998 Hunter 26. Most everyone agrees the Forestay needs to be shortend, how much, what type of fitting? Accordingto the archive some have used a FF3 furler, however CDI doesn't list a FF3 model. Help. Thanks, J. R.
call CDI
call CDI, google the phone number on internet. I believe you can get some info on site. I have the tangs also, which are necessay to get furler drum clear of forestay attachment hardware.
call CDI, google the phone number on internet. I believe you can get some info on site. I have the tangs also, which are necessay to get furler drum clear of forestay attachment hardware.
The FF2 may be a better fit then...
...the 4/6 drum that I have. There is a post in the (photo forum?) archives that shows an FF2 without tangs to lift the drum. The diameter of the FF2 drum is a lot less and will fit in the stem head fitting (u-bolt) without hitting the deck. HOWEVER the poster placed hardware in the stem head fitting to push the attachment of the drum foward a bit. As for me, five seasons and I have not shortened the too long headstay yet. Maybe next year. These boats came with several different spars, make sure the specs are for your rigging. alan
...the 4/6 drum that I have. There is a post in the (photo forum?) archives that shows an FF2 without tangs to lift the drum. The diameter of the FF2 drum is a lot less and will fit in the stem head fitting (u-bolt) without hitting the deck. HOWEVER the poster placed hardware in the stem head fitting to push the attachment of the drum foward a bit. As for me, five seasons and I have not shortened the too long headstay yet. Maybe next year. These boats came with several different spars, make sure the specs are for your rigging. alan
Forestay shortening is not required....
...but you have to modify the U-bolt to prevent the drum from chafing. I did mine this way. I haven't modified the U-bolt yet; it chafes sometimes when unfurling, but not when furling. I also modified my sail, using Sailrite's excellent instructional CD-ROM. The CD covers all the sewing, plus CDI furler installation. I bought the luff tape from them too, but not the sunbrella for the UV cover. I found a source on the internet for that, much cheaper. The biggest problem I had with sail mods: the multiple thicknesses of stiff dacron at the sail corners were too much for my machine. So I sewed everything I could, then paid a local upholstery shop a few bucks to do the corners (no sail lofts around here.)
...but you have to modify the U-bolt to prevent the drum from chafing. I did mine this way. I haven't modified the U-bolt yet; it chafes sometimes when unfurling, but not when furling. I also modified my sail, using Sailrite's excellent instructional CD-ROM. The CD covers all the sewing, plus CDI furler installation. I bought the luff tape from them too, but not the sunbrella for the UV cover. I found a source on the internet for that, much cheaper. The biggest problem I had with sail mods: the multiple thicknesses of stiff dacron at the sail corners were too much for my machine. So I sewed everything I could, then paid a local upholstery shop a few bucks to do the corners (no sail lofts around here.)
I believe Tom (correct me if wrong) is...
...refering to the FF2 drum. The 4/6 that I have will not fit without the tangs hence the need to shorten the stay. The FF2 will. The 260 has more room. alan
...refering to the FF2 drum. The 4/6 that I have will not fit without the tangs hence the need to shorten the stay. The FF2 will. The 260 has more room. alan
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