I currently have a 1986 Catalina 27 and want to change out the forestay to a roller furling. I have read some information on the different types but wanted to hear from individuals who have done this. Do they like the furling they chose? How easy was the instalation? What experiences could they share and do they have recommendation or comments good or bad. Thanks
roller furling
- Thread starter Gary8065
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I just did mine with a CDI. Did it all myself over the winter with the mast off the boat. Be careful if you get a CDI when you unpack as you can get hurt. They warn you.
CDI
My son and I put a CDI on a Glouchester 22. It was pretty easy and had good instructions. The furler worked very well.
My son and I put a CDI on a Glouchester 22. It was pretty easy and had good instructions. The furler worked very well.
Cat 27 Furlers
Practical Sailor did a review of most major furling systems some time ago and I seem to recall that it concluded most of them were pretty good. While I personally think that CDI represents a decent value, I don't care for having a plastic extrusion. I also think their internal halyard system leaves a lot to be desired. When I owned a Catalina 27 I had a Schaeffer furler and it worked great. As with most things with boats, everything is a tradeoff...
Practical Sailor did a review of most major furling systems some time ago and I seem to recall that it concluded most of them were pretty good. While I personally think that CDI represents a decent value, I don't care for having a plastic extrusion. I also think their internal halyard system leaves a lot to be desired. When I owned a Catalina 27 I had a Schaeffer furler and it worked great. As with most things with boats, everything is a tradeoff...
Furlers
I've had both the CDI and Hood Seafurl. Of the two, I prefer CDI. Hood has the potential problem of halyard wrap -- can't happen on CDI with its built-in halyard. Also with CDI you can get by with more luff length on the jib. I installed the Hood myself on a 22-ft. boat. It went well; no problems, but I modified the spool/turnbuckle assembly for quicker and easier connection at the tack after mast raising. This modification is not needed on CDI. If you go for CDI, be sure to get the ball bearing version. It's worth the extra $$.
I've had both the CDI and Hood Seafurl. Of the two, I prefer CDI. Hood has the potential problem of halyard wrap -- can't happen on CDI with its built-in halyard. Also with CDI you can get by with more luff length on the jib. I installed the Hood myself on a 22-ft. boat. It went well; no problems, but I modified the spool/turnbuckle assembly for quicker and easier connection at the tack after mast raising. This modification is not needed on CDI. If you go for CDI, be sure to get the ball bearing version. It's worth the extra $$.
One good point about CDIs
Many furlers require you to cut your headstay in order to install the unit. However since the CDI extrusion fits over the existing headstay, you can probably get away with using it. I have had my CDI for three seasons and have never had a problem with it. I have seen many posters on this site recommend buying the ball bearing option for the CDI -- I don't have it and I have never had a problem. However, I have an Oday 23, and I use a 110 jib. Maybe with a bigger sail on a bigger boat, the ball bearings would be a good thing. btw, you will love roller furling; easily the best big-money upgrade you can make on a sailboat.
Many furlers require you to cut your headstay in order to install the unit. However since the CDI extrusion fits over the existing headstay, you can probably get away with using it. I have had my CDI for three seasons and have never had a problem with it. I have seen many posters on this site recommend buying the ball bearing option for the CDI -- I don't have it and I have never had a problem. However, I have an Oday 23, and I use a 110 jib. Maybe with a bigger sail on a bigger boat, the ball bearings would be a good thing. btw, you will love roller furling; easily the best big-money upgrade you can make on a sailboat.
Another vote for CDI
I have a C22. I needed to replace the forestay when I bought the CDI FF2. I couldn't use the old forestay with the swaged eyes, needed a nicopressed terminal. I upgraded one size, to 5/32" wire with 5/16" turnbuckle. As a matter of fact, half my turnbuckles were 1/4", and the other half were 5/16", so I bought a couple more 5/16 inchers. I had absolutely no trouble installing the CDI, just be sure to measure twice before you cut. I attached one of the old 1/4" turnbuckles inside the bow from the bow eye to the stem fitting. I had to fabricate two tangs, and did this to re-inforce the stem fitting. I recommend this to all sailboats. I have not had any trouble using my CDI, and also recommend it.
I have a C22. I needed to replace the forestay when I bought the CDI FF2. I couldn't use the old forestay with the swaged eyes, needed a nicopressed terminal. I upgraded one size, to 5/32" wire with 5/16" turnbuckle. As a matter of fact, half my turnbuckles were 1/4", and the other half were 5/16", so I bought a couple more 5/16 inchers. I had absolutely no trouble installing the CDI, just be sure to measure twice before you cut. I attached one of the old 1/4" turnbuckles inside the bow from the bow eye to the stem fitting. I had to fabricate two tangs, and did this to re-inforce the stem fitting. I recommend this to all sailboats. I have not had any trouble using my CDI, and also recommend it.
Hood Seafurl 707
Gary, I installed a Hood Seafurl 707 on my CS 27 2 years back. Very happy with the operation. It is an easy DIY installation and can be installed over the existing headstay; no cutting or mods needed. I looked at CDI but here in Canada the CDI FF6 with BBs and the Hood were in the same price range and the Hood looks more substantial. I believe in the USA the CDIs are a better buy. BTW, an earlier post mentioned haylard wrap problems; haylard wrap is caused by poor installation, not the operation of the furler. And any difference in luff length is insignificant. Kevin
Gary, I installed a Hood Seafurl 707 on my CS 27 2 years back. Very happy with the operation. It is an easy DIY installation and can be installed over the existing headstay; no cutting or mods needed. I looked at CDI but here in Canada the CDI FF6 with BBs and the Hood were in the same price range and the Hood looks more substantial. I believe in the USA the CDIs are a better buy. BTW, an earlier post mentioned haylard wrap problems; haylard wrap is caused by poor installation, not the operation of the furler. And any difference in luff length is insignificant. Kevin
I recommend ProFurl
for your boat the rc25 model will be best. Harken will work equally well. Both will last indefinitely and are bluewater proven. Ask around... The extrusions on these units are very high quality alloy, and they are double grooved to allow racing sets or wing on wing sailing. Also, the drums can be easily removed for racing purposes. Another important feature is that they are designed with reefing in mind, not just stowing the sail. If it's been awhile since you've changed the forestay on your c27 you might have difficulty removing the stainless pin from the aluminum masthead fitting. On mine,the pin was fused and we had to heat it to break it free. If you replace the forestay make sure you add a toggle to that connection to prevent any future freeze ups.
for your boat the rc25 model will be best. Harken will work equally well. Both will last indefinitely and are bluewater proven. Ask around... The extrusions on these units are very high quality alloy, and they are double grooved to allow racing sets or wing on wing sailing. Also, the drums can be easily removed for racing purposes. Another important feature is that they are designed with reefing in mind, not just stowing the sail. If it's been awhile since you've changed the forestay on your c27 you might have difficulty removing the stainless pin from the aluminum masthead fitting. On mine,the pin was fused and we had to heat it to break it free. If you replace the forestay make sure you add a toggle to that connection to prevent any future freeze ups.
Schaeffer 750
Gary, This year I added (Had a local dealer add) a Schaeffer 750 to my 1973 Catalina 27. It is the smallest furler that has rigid extrusion in the Schaeffer. I notice that you are at Carlyle -- let me know if you would like to see it. I can't say too much right now on how it works as the loft I contracted to make a new sail in March still hasn't made my sail right. Also check on the C27 list service -- those sailors have very strong opinions. Dan B boat@deerplain.com
Gary, This year I added (Had a local dealer add) a Schaeffer 750 to my 1973 Catalina 27. It is the smallest furler that has rigid extrusion in the Schaeffer. I notice that you are at Carlyle -- let me know if you would like to see it. I can't say too much right now on how it works as the loft I contracted to make a new sail in March still hasn't made my sail right. Also check on the C27 list service -- those sailors have very strong opinions. Dan B boat@deerplain.com
CDI install
I just installed the CDI furler .I had zero previous experiance.It was very straight forward .Read the instructions several times before actually doing anything.Would most definitely recommend it .
I just installed the CDI furler .I had zero previous experiance.It was very straight forward .Read the instructions several times before actually doing anything.Would most definitely recommend it .
cdi for my hunter 27....I did it my self...well my
wife and 84 year old mother helped me with the foil unbending process. The directions are well done. I suggest reading them many times prior to cutting the foil. I did mine with the mast down. It is great!
wife and 84 year old mother helped me with the foil unbending process. The directions are well done. I suggest reading them many times prior to cutting the foil. I did mine with the mast down. It is great!
Harken for me
I had a Harken for 10 years and have had a Hood for two. Harken is far superior in construction and smoothness of operation.
I had a Harken for 10 years and have had a Hood for two. Harken is far superior in construction and smoothness of operation.
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