Schaeffer Snapfurl roller furling

[Page Proffittq]

I am concidering purchasing a Schaeffer Snapfurl very soon for my 1978 O'Day 25. If anyone has any suggestions it would be great help. Right now PYS has the SCHCF500-SCHAEFER SNAP FURLER COMPLETE- for $379.95. And until Oct 31, 2002 they have the Snapfurl Fairlead arm (CF-500-22) plus 35' x 1/4" line CF-500-11-PK for free with the purchase. I am concerned about the product and would like some first hand input. If you have had any problems with the upper swivel and lower drum would be one concern. I understand that Schaeffer will be coming out with a new Snapfurl in 2003 that will be beefed up in those areas. My other choice would be the CDI FF4 at more money but it has been on the market longer.

 

[Don Evans]

Snapfurl

I installed one on my 25, 3 years ago and it has performed very well. I have had no issues with any part of their furler, specificaly the swivel and the drum. The Torlon race has been flawless. The only issue I had was in snapping their 2 part foil together. It was more difficult than I was lead to believe, but some suggesions from my Loft and Schaeffer solved this, and I understand the manual reflects this now. I had some problems with halyard wraps, but installing a halyard guide at the top of my mast solved this. I bought the longer foil, as the shorter one was just about the length of the forestay. Better check this price out as its a bit more for the longer foil I believe. Installing it was dead simple. The price does sound good and I don't think you will be dissappointed with it, nor the CDI, as a lot of the regulars here have these installed. Practical Sailor rated both about even. Any other questions, just ask.Don

 

[Nathan Love]

Snap Furl

Don- Did you have to step the mast to install the furler? I currently have this furler in my deckbox because I don't see any way to install it without stepping and I'd prefer to do this while on the hard. Was it really a piece of cake? Did you have to cut any excess off of the foil?

 

[Don Evans]

Unstepping Best IMHO

Nathan, I installed it with the forestay off, the mast down. Now Schaeffer says you can install this with the mast up, and I have no doubt some have, but for me I wanted to work on the ground. I can't see wrestling this 2 part 35' snake on my forepeak, snapping the 2 halves together while feeding it up the stay. Besides I measured the forestay, 696 times to get that foil cut exactly, while stretched out on the ground...much easier and exact in my opinion. I had about 2-3 feet excess cut off the foil. Our boats mast are relatively easy to step and unstep, and the project could be a beginning or end of the season thing. It was a 9 out of 10 on the easy scale. Go for it.Don