roller furling

[Paul Wetmore]

I know its traditional to have a hanked on jib but I'm planning on fitting my O'day 25 with a roller furling this spring. I'm looking for some suggestions on brand and maybe any helpful tips. I have done some reading and I know the sail needs refitting and the hanks removed anlong with the UV strip added. Do I have to step the mast to install the hardware?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

The rig will probably have to come down because almost all modern furling rigs need to be installed on the forestay but threading the stay through the unit.My personal prejudice is for CDI units. Look to www.crusingdesigns.com for information. What you lose in adjustablility you get in durability and ease of use. Few people I know who are not dedicated racers you the adjustments very often anyway on boats like ours.Justin - O'day OWners' Web

 

[steve growcock]

ditto justin

for the 25, CDI - good performance and decidedly less expensive.steve

 

[David]

CDI

Is the way to go but don't deal direct as a rigger or retail outlet will sell for much less. For my customers I deal with Rigging Only in Fairhaven MA, not far from you. Depend on your rig, you may not have to drop the mast, they will advise.

 

[Bob Todd]

I guess it's unanimous...

CDI! I've had one on my O'day 272LE since new and still going strong. Simple construction = fewer hassles. Link to my web page below. In it you'll find a link to Cruising Direct Sails, a CDI dealer. Chuck Allen is a terrific guy to deal with.Cheers,Bob

 

[Geof]

Sail Loft's are busy in the spring..

You may find that sail lofts will be busy in the spring. You might want to line one up asap. For what it's worth, I've used Squeteague sailmakers in Cataumet Ma. He recently made a main for me, I'm planning on having him do the Number 1 next year.I looked around at local lofts (Rhode Island and MA) and their prices were all comparable, Squeteague was able to schedule the work quickest and I felt he treated me honestly. I also spoke with another customer, I noticed the label on his sail, and he happily reccomended the loft. As things go, we even had a little trouble fitting the new sail, the slides didn't fit the mast properly, and the loft fixed'em right up for me. I can't imagine what the hassle would have been if I had to send the sail back to a mail-order house.BTW - I own a '76 O'Day 25. I have a Harkin RF so I can't say anything about the CDI unit, except that is has been spoken of highly on this website.ASqueteague also sells furlers and they have a page on them on their website.Geof

 

[Vic]

Talking about the 272 CDI ...

the problem is that the new Hi tech mylar sails are really strong and in my desire to get some of the luff wrinkles out to make the sail look really perfect I managed to pull out the cleat for the furling halyard. Am now in process of trying to figure a way to strengthen the unit ... probably with a slightly larger cleat and bigger screws. Vic