Can anyone suggest the best or most cost effective headsail roller reefing system for a 25.5? Should you do it yourself, or have it installed professionally?
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caution
I ordered a roller furling from the local boat shop and told them the less expensive one would be good. Time passed and they sent me a sea flex roller furling and I hated it returned it as it didnt work at all and so the dealer then ordered a CDI furler and it has worked out well. More money can be spent though I have had good luck with mine. An alternative to a furler is a downhaul rigged into the jib system so the jib can be lowered from the cock pit. Fairly simple, a pulley and light sail cord run up with the jib halyard through the sailclips that connect to the front stay. Good luck and happy sails to you.
I ordered a roller furling from the local boat shop and told them the less expensive one would be good. Time passed and they sent me a sea flex roller furling and I hated it returned it as it didnt work at all and so the dealer then ordered a CDI furler and it has worked out well. More money can be spent though I have had good luck with mine. An alternative to a furler is a downhaul rigged into the jib system so the jib can be lowered from the cock pit. Fairly simple, a pulley and light sail cord run up with the jib halyard through the sailclips that connect to the front stay. Good luck and happy sails to you.
I use a Harken 00AL
I had an older CDI unit on my 25.5 and hated it. In heavy air the friction caused from the cheap bearings in the unit almost required the use of a winch on the furling line to furl in the sail. The unit also allows no way of adjusting halyard tension other than going to the bow and adjusting the internal halyard line on the unit. Also the design of the CDI unit incorporated a sheave at the top of the extrusion for the internal halyard. This sheave acts like a hook and catches and fouls any other halyard you have, in my case it fouled the spinnaker halyard almost every time. I replaced my CDI with a Harken Unit 00AL. It wasn't cheap but it works perfectly. I had my sailmaker/rigger install it for $150. I am contemplating melting my old CDI unit down for scrap metal
Or actually if you'd like it I'd be glad to discuss it with you....
I had an older CDI unit on my 25.5 and hated it. In heavy air the friction caused from the cheap bearings in the unit almost required the use of a winch on the furling line to furl in the sail. The unit also allows no way of adjusting halyard tension other than going to the bow and adjusting the internal halyard line on the unit. Also the design of the CDI unit incorporated a sheave at the top of the extrusion for the internal halyard. This sheave acts like a hook and catches and fouls any other halyard you have, in my case it fouled the spinnaker halyard almost every time. I replaced my CDI with a Harken Unit 00AL. It wasn't cheap but it works perfectly. I had my sailmaker/rigger install it for $150. I am contemplating melting my old CDI unit down for scrap metal
Or actually if you'd like it I'd be glad to discuss it with you....How and where
My '95 H26 came with the CDI furler. For my use, it works just fine. As Anthony pointed out though, if you're gonna be flying a spinnaker, or if you're planning on racing, spending a bit more money may be the route to go. Especially if you leave your boat in the water, rather than trailering it a lot. It's my understanding that the CDI is a bit more amendable to trailering than the other ones.
My '95 H26 came with the CDI furler. For my use, it works just fine. As Anthony pointed out though, if you're gonna be flying a spinnaker, or if you're planning on racing, spending a bit more money may be the route to go. Especially if you leave your boat in the water, rather than trailering it a lot. It's my understanding that the CDI is a bit more amendable to trailering than the other ones.
furling
My boat had a Profurl unit when I bought it. It works well most of the time although the angle from the deck lead to the furling drum has to be just right to fill the drum evenly and not jam at the top or bottom of the drum.
My boat had a Profurl unit when I bought it. It works well most of the time although the angle from the deck lead to the furling drum has to be just right to fill the drum evenly and not jam at the top or bottom of the drum.
Snapfurl
I just installed a Schaefer Snapfurl on our 25.5. We just finished a 300+ mile trip from NJ to VA, sailed in all sorts of wind conditions (to 25+knots) and are very pleased with the results. There are some considerations. The 25.5 max's the range of the Snapfurl. SChaefer will tell you that while there is no danger of the unit's failing, it might be difficult to furl a large sail in high winds. We are using a 130% genoa and were able to furl, though with the full sail we pinched up to do so in 20+ knots. A 150% sail would require early reefing, but that is good practice anyway. Advantages of the Snapfurl are simplicity, cost, no joints in the headfoil and the headstay does not need to be cut to install it. The unit is also well-made and strong. Dave Weir "Last Resort"
I just installed a Schaefer Snapfurl on our 25.5. We just finished a 300+ mile trip from NJ to VA, sailed in all sorts of wind conditions (to 25+knots) and are very pleased with the results. There are some considerations. The 25.5 max's the range of the Snapfurl. SChaefer will tell you that while there is no danger of the unit's failing, it might be difficult to furl a large sail in high winds. We are using a 130% genoa and were able to furl, though with the full sail we pinched up to do so in 20+ knots. A 150% sail would require early reefing, but that is good practice anyway. Advantages of the Snapfurl are simplicity, cost, no joints in the headfoil and the headstay does not need to be cut to install it. The unit is also well-made and strong. Dave Weir "Last Resort"
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