Roller furling

[Paul Palmer]

I am planning on installing a roller furler on my O'Day 25 this spring. I am considering the Profurl or Harken or am open to other manufacturers if better. I know many people opt for a flexible furler for trailerable boats but I am more concerned with quality, trouble free use, good sail shape when reefed, etc. I would appreciate any advice from anyone with experience with eighter of these models or others that you have found to be good. Thanks for your help.Paul Palmer"Sea Legs"

 

[Todd Osborne]

Flexible furler

I have a CDI (model FF7) on my Cat 30. a snap to install, great qulaity (IMHO), trouble free and easy to use as well. I got in 30 knot winds & reefed her down with the sail under load. If it can handle that without any problem, I'd call it robust! One thing to look at though, I did get some twist in the foil opening up the top of my sail (twist). But with a 43' headstay & lots of sail area, I'd expect this. Your O'Day 25 might not have this problem.P.S. they say some sail twist under reefing conditions is desirable.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

I have a CDI FF4 on my C25

Paul -I have a CDI FF4 on my Catalina and I really like it. Its simple, maintenance free, and the internal halyard frees up the gennoa halyard for drifter duties. I will be adding the ball bearing kit this spring.I have not yet experienced any problems with it to date, including reefing it under load in big winds. I have the reefing line run to the cockpit coaming. I use a line clutch to control it, and I use the portside primary winch to furl with if rounding up is impractical.I'd buy mine again.Justin - O'day Owners' WebReefed sail shape is more a function of the sail than the furler in most instances. I have a 135 on as my primary headsail, and it has a cresent of foam in the luff to help maintain sail shape when reefed.

 

[Tim Schaaf]

thoughts for Justin

Justin, if you are not in a situation to round up (or even if you are), you will find it easier to furl or reef while running off with the jib blanketed behind the main. You will also get better reefed sail shape when you do this....especially if you furl the sail completely, and then unfurl it to the size you want. Try it next time and see.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Very True, Tim

Tim -You're absolutely right about blanketing the jib with the main; that's how it ought to be done. I should have qualified my comment about using the winch to reef. I meant that comment with regard to the abilityof the FF4 to take large loads. I only use the winch to reef if there is a lot of traffic, or if I don't want to run off because I'll lose position in a race.Paul - any more thoughts?Justin - O'day Owners' Web