I've been thinking of adding furling to my H26. I had it on my old boat and wasn't all that thrilled with it always. On the other hand, it sure made some things easier. Any advice on brand? Any pitfalls? (I was not planning on getting a big genoa -- perhaps a 110 or the like.)
Roller Furling
- Thread starter Michael15707
- Start date
- Status
CDI Furler
I have a 1994 H26 and added a CDI furler a few years ago. It is one of the least expensive sytems and works well. I have had no real problems. You will have to modify the jib to work with the furler, but this can be done by any reputable sailmaker.
I have a 1994 H26 and added a CDI furler a few years ago. It is one of the least expensive sytems and works well. I have had no real problems. You will have to modify the jib to work with the furler, but this can be done by any reputable sailmaker.
CDI
Ron -- the two reviews in the chandlery didn't make it sound too good. What do you think the deal is there?
Ron -- the two reviews in the chandlery didn't make it sound too good. What do you think the deal is there?
He didnt read the instructions
.....I have installed a CDI unit on both of my previous boats, a Cat 22 and a Columbia 26 MKII and have helped friends with a couple of other units and I have to say I would recommend it for anyone but hard core racers. I think the plastic luff is a little heavier then an aluminum foil on the others like the Harken. Pros: Plastic luff is less likely to get tweeked when you take your rig down. Internal halyard eliminates halyard wrap and leaves your old jib halyard as a spare. Simple design is maintenence free and easy to fix. Great reefing abilities. Great furling abilities. warentee even covers "unseaman like behavior". You can but a CDI unit and still have enough $$ left for a sail compared to the cost of a Harken or Schaeffer system. Owner installable. Cons: Heavier. Single groove in foil prevents you from striking one headsail while bending on another (who does that anyway?) Internal jib halyard does not lend itself to tightening the luff of the jib to adjust the draft. (Again, who does that?) Doesnt come with a Harken sticker. If you get the CDI get the ball bearing upgrade and spring for a new head sail with a foam luff pad to improve the shape of your reefed sail. I'm not sure about your local conditions but you might want to go with a larger head sail. Remember, you can always reef a 130% down to working jib size and still maintain good shape. Have your current headsail recut into a "blade" for heavy wind days. As far as the reviews, the first guy didnt read the directions. The luff is easy to straighten. Just follow the directions. What is really funny is that the directions specifically say not to do what that guy was doing. Its the only thing the warantee will not cover. And the second guy just doesnt make any sense. From the manual on the website: "Uncoiling the Luff Straightening the Luff PART 2: STRAIGHTENING THE LUFF · Holding the luff flat on the ground with weights and/or using a hair dryer DON’T work and void the warranty. Follow instructions below." Too funny.
.....I have installed a CDI unit on both of my previous boats, a Cat 22 and a Columbia 26 MKII and have helped friends with a couple of other units and I have to say I would recommend it for anyone but hard core racers. I think the plastic luff is a little heavier then an aluminum foil on the others like the Harken. Pros: Plastic luff is less likely to get tweeked when you take your rig down. Internal halyard eliminates halyard wrap and leaves your old jib halyard as a spare. Simple design is maintenence free and easy to fix. Great reefing abilities. Great furling abilities. warentee even covers "unseaman like behavior". You can but a CDI unit and still have enough $$ left for a sail compared to the cost of a Harken or Schaeffer system. Owner installable. Cons: Heavier. Single groove in foil prevents you from striking one headsail while bending on another (who does that anyway?) Internal jib halyard does not lend itself to tightening the luff of the jib to adjust the draft. (Again, who does that?) Doesnt come with a Harken sticker. If you get the CDI get the ball bearing upgrade and spring for a new head sail with a foam luff pad to improve the shape of your reefed sail. I'm not sure about your local conditions but you might want to go with a larger head sail. Remember, you can always reef a 130% down to working jib size and still maintain good shape. Have your current headsail recut into a "blade" for heavy wind days. As far as the reviews, the first guy didnt read the directions. The luff is easy to straighten. Just follow the directions. What is really funny is that the directions specifically say not to do what that guy was doing. Its the only thing the warantee will not cover. And the second guy just doesnt make any sense. From the manual on the website: "Uncoiling the Luff Straightening the Luff PART 2: STRAIGHTENING THE LUFF · Holding the luff flat on the ground with weights and/or using a hair dryer DON’T work and void the warranty. Follow instructions below." Too funny.
Straightforward and simple
Have CDI jib furlers on our 2000 H240 and now our 2004 H260. Couldn't imagine it being any easier to use or more perfect for these boats. Not over designed and not overly expensive. You would want more beef if your boat was expected to do more than these are really up to. We reef it down when the wind kicks up above 15 and if we get a stinkin' blow it quickly douses without going forward and hanging off the bow. Do it, you'll be glad you did. Michael and Kelli H240 (4-sail in classifieds) and H260 S/V Bonafide
Have CDI jib furlers on our 2000 H240 and now our 2004 H260. Couldn't imagine it being any easier to use or more perfect for these boats. Not over designed and not overly expensive. You would want more beef if your boat was expected to do more than these are really up to. We reef it down when the wind kicks up above 15 and if we get a stinkin' blow it quickly douses without going forward and hanging off the bow. Do it, you'll be glad you did. Michael and Kelli H240 (4-sail in classifieds) and H260 S/V Bonafide
Size
So, is the consensus that a fellow should go at least 130? I had a 150 on my old boat and didn't really like it -- it was big and heavy and just not that helpful. That's why I was thinking of a 110, but . . .
So, is the consensus that a fellow should go at least 130? I had a 150 on my old boat and didn't really like it -- it was big and heavy and just not that helpful. That's why I was thinking of a 110, but . . .
Jib Size?
Mike, I think you have had good input to suggest that the CDI is an OK furler. Regarding getting a new sail with foam luff is really a matter of how much you want to spend vs getting a better shape out of your reefed jib. I just had my old jib recut and a protective edge added and it works OK, but probably not at well as with foam. Size issue - I recall various discussions on whether or not a bigger jib is good idea for the H26. I seem to remember that Hunter recommends that you stick with the standard jib for sail balance. I'm sure there are other 26 owners that have gone with slightly bigger jib and they may work fine. Ask Hunter for their input. Good luck - I would also recommend the ball-bearing CDI system since mine is not and is a bit hard to roll up sometimes.
Mike, I think you have had good input to suggest that the CDI is an OK furler. Regarding getting a new sail with foam luff is really a matter of how much you want to spend vs getting a better shape out of your reefed jib. I just had my old jib recut and a protective edge added and it works OK, but probably not at well as with foam. Size issue - I recall various discussions on whether or not a bigger jib is good idea for the H26. I seem to remember that Hunter recommends that you stick with the standard jib for sail balance. I'm sure there are other 26 owners that have gone with slightly bigger jib and they may work fine. Ask Hunter for their input. Good luck - I would also recommend the ball-bearing CDI system since mine is not and is a bit hard to roll up sometimes.
New JIb
I added a CDI furler to my '01 Hunter 240 this season and it is a great addition. I had planned to have the original jib cut down and tape added but in shopping around I found out that I could buy a new jib, ready to go for the CDI furler, from Hunter for about what I would have paid to have the old sail modified. So for the same cost I have a brand new sail as well as the old one as a back-up. I found Hunter's service department to be very helpful. I would also add that the CDI people were very helpful in answering questions and giving suggestions.
I added a CDI furler to my '01 Hunter 240 this season and it is a great addition. I had planned to have the original jib cut down and tape added but in shopping around I found out that I could buy a new jib, ready to go for the CDI furler, from Hunter for about what I would have paid to have the old sail modified. So for the same cost I have a brand new sail as well as the old one as a back-up. I found Hunter's service department to be very helpful. I would also add that the CDI people were very helpful in answering questions and giving suggestions.
- Status