I must be the last sailor in the world w/o a roller furler. I've looked at them and they seem to run $1000-$2000.00 for a 25'. Am I looking in the wrong place? Anyone have any suggestions where I may find a reasonable furler. What do I need for parts? Is it just the furler or do I also need a "tube"? Any informed/experienced and expert advice appreciated, thank you.
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Definitely not the last
It doesn't take me that long to put up/down or change jibs. Just doesn't seem worth the trouble and cost to me.
It doesn't take me that long to put up/down or change jibs. Just doesn't seem worth the trouble and cost to me.
roller furler
I had one on my other boats but don't on my 'NEW", 1971 22' Venture. I have 4 headsails and use downhauls on all of them except the Genaker. I don't miss the roller at all and my sails set much better. Novelman
I had one on my other boats but don't on my 'NEW", 1971 22' Venture. I have 4 headsails and use downhauls on all of them except the Genaker. I don't miss the roller at all and my sails set much better. Novelman
Worth it for us
We got our furler (Catalina 22) from riggingonly.com and the 150 genoa from Catalina Direct. The total was about $1,100 plus we got a "sock" to cover the sail for $200. For us it was well worth it. Safer and more convenient.
We got our furler (Catalina 22) from riggingonly.com and the 150 genoa from Catalina Direct. The total was about $1,100 plus we got a "sock" to cover the sail for $200. For us it was well worth it. Safer and more convenient.
Checkout CDI Furlers at
http://www.sailcdi.com/ffmain.htm I just replaced the old one on my 27' with the FF6 for about $600. I bought it online at: http://thesailwarehouse.com Easy installation and helpful service from manufacturer.
http://www.sailcdi.com/ffmain.htm I just replaced the old one on my 27' with the FF6 for about $600. I bought it online at: http://thesailwarehouse.com Easy installation and helpful service from manufacturer.
Hanking it Also
Hanking down the Jib is more convenient for us. We're adhering to the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) concept. We do have a storm jib on board though... /Chuck S/V Windsongs 85' H23
Hanking down the Jib is more convenient for us. We're adhering to the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) concept. We do have a storm jib on board though... /Chuck S/V Windsongs 85' H23
CDI
I had a CDI roller furling on my Catalina 30, it was there from the previous owner. It was a bit small for the Catalina 30, but did work. I would advise against it on a 30. but it would be more than adequate on a 25 footer. RF are great in bad weather and as far as i'm concerned, they are the only way to go if you single hand in open water. Anytime you dont have to go up forward, its a plus. More than once I was caught in unpredicted bad weather and had to go forward, alone, with no autopilot and change sails. You cant always see high winds coming, and yes, i know all about looking for 'signs', but life is different when single handing. Even when 2 on a boat, if really windy and having a great time with the rail in the water, tacking becomes easy if you furl a little before the tack. In addition to making your life easier, think of it as a piece of safety gear. Oh yes, some will say that roller furling can get jammed. Yes, i agree, but that is rare. If it does, just be prepared to slash your jib to ribbons if you have to. But keep in mind, you are MUCH MUCH more likely to be pitched off the bow of your boat tring to reduce sail than you are of having your RF jam. Oh yeah, i forgot, everyone wears a safety harness. Sure, now you can pull down a large jenny, fold it anyway you can and tuck it inside the boat in 35 MPH wind on a 25 footer and all this while safely tethered. yeah, right.
I had a CDI roller furling on my Catalina 30, it was there from the previous owner. It was a bit small for the Catalina 30, but did work. I would advise against it on a 30. but it would be more than adequate on a 25 footer. RF are great in bad weather and as far as i'm concerned, they are the only way to go if you single hand in open water. Anytime you dont have to go up forward, its a plus. More than once I was caught in unpredicted bad weather and had to go forward, alone, with no autopilot and change sails. You cant always see high winds coming, and yes, i know all about looking for 'signs', but life is different when single handing. Even when 2 on a boat, if really windy and having a great time with the rail in the water, tacking becomes easy if you furl a little before the tack. In addition to making your life easier, think of it as a piece of safety gear. Oh yes, some will say that roller furling can get jammed. Yes, i agree, but that is rare. If it does, just be prepared to slash your jib to ribbons if you have to. But keep in mind, you are MUCH MUCH more likely to be pitched off the bow of your boat tring to reduce sail than you are of having your RF jam. Oh yeah, i forgot, everyone wears a safety harness. Sure, now you can pull down a large jenny, fold it anyway you can and tuck it inside the boat in 35 MPH wind on a 25 footer and all this while safely tethered. yeah, right.
Another benefit...
One reason I wanted to try a roller up front was that where I keep my boat it's not easy to find a decent place to flake and fold a large foresail. There is a small grassy area near the dock, but there are often dogs, too, so... After three years with my dacron genoa rolled up after every sail, never stored below, it is in great shape (I pull it off during the winter months). I do roll the main by hand and store it below, and it is also not far from new in feel, appearance, and performance. These sails have been raced about 60 times and have done about double that number of casual morning/afternoon/evening outings (fresh water). Yes, we lose a little upwind performance with the roller set-up, but the boat is still very competitive in its class. I have to think that sails that have been flaked a couple hundred times wouldn't hold up quite so well.
One reason I wanted to try a roller up front was that where I keep my boat it's not easy to find a decent place to flake and fold a large foresail. There is a small grassy area near the dock, but there are often dogs, too, so... After three years with my dacron genoa rolled up after every sail, never stored below, it is in great shape (I pull it off during the winter months). I do roll the main by hand and store it below, and it is also not far from new in feel, appearance, and performance. These sails have been raced about 60 times and have done about double that number of casual morning/afternoon/evening outings (fresh water). Yes, we lose a little upwind performance with the roller set-up, but the boat is still very competitive in its class. I have to think that sails that have been flaked a couple hundred times wouldn't hold up quite so well.
Look at Schaefer Snap Furl
The CF-700 is designed to be installed over the existing headstay on boats from 24' to 28' and is intended to be simpler for boats that have frequently stepped masts (trailerable). I was thinking about this system for our 27' Starwind but was convinced to use either System 750 or 1100. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, either. We bought a new 150% genoa last year and I quickly realized I am not going to be able to roll-up our new sail while our boat is kept on a mooring. Instead, it gets stuffed in the bag. This is going to be our next upgrade now that I have experienced how much a furling system for the headsail can add to the ease and pleasure of sailing! The main still gets flaked manually on the boom and covered. I am not thinking about any systems for that yet!
The CF-700 is designed to be installed over the existing headstay on boats from 24' to 28' and is intended to be simpler for boats that have frequently stepped masts (trailerable). I was thinking about this system for our 27' Starwind but was convinced to use either System 750 or 1100. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, either. We bought a new 150% genoa last year and I quickly realized I am not going to be able to roll-up our new sail while our boat is kept on a mooring. Instead, it gets stuffed in the bag. This is going to be our next upgrade now that I have experienced how much a furling system for the headsail can add to the ease and pleasure of sailing! The main still gets flaked manually on the boom and covered. I am not thinking about any systems for that yet!
Schaefer 700
There seems to be a lot of last sailors... I'm just about to change my hank on to a Schaefer 700 furling system. Defender had a great price during their tent sale earlier in the season, $719 as compared to West Marine's $1299 price tag. I was surprised to find out that with some hesitance, West Marine was able to match the price! So be sure you do your homework before purchasing something like this...that's almost a $600 markup! The mark up is high, but I can definitely say their customer service is wonderful, so as long as you do your part, they work with you as much as they possibly can. I hope to use my Schaefer late July, when my new 150 genny comes in! Fair winds, -Sean
There seems to be a lot of last sailors... I'm just about to change my hank on to a Schaefer 700 furling system. Defender had a great price during their tent sale earlier in the season, $719 as compared to West Marine's $1299 price tag. I was surprised to find out that with some hesitance, West Marine was able to match the price! So be sure you do your homework before purchasing something like this...that's almost a $600 markup! The mark up is high, but I can definitely say their customer service is wonderful, so as long as you do your part, they work with you as much as they possibly can. I hope to use my Schaefer late July, when my new 150 genny comes in! Fair winds, -Sean
Old sails?
Old sails? I've got the original sails on my '76 V-21. How's that for old sails? They'll still put the rail in the water in a fresh breeze so should I think of replacing these nasty old sails? Sorry for the hijack.
Old sails? I've got the original sails on my '76 V-21. How's that for old sails? They'll still put the rail in the water in a fresh breeze so should I think of replacing these nasty old sails? Sorry for the hijack.
good 'ol hank
my "old fashioned" hanked on sails work just fine. As my dad noted about equipment loaded cars, its just more stuff to break and have to fix. Regarding flaking the sail, I worked out a way to flake my semi-decksweeper 150% while its still hanked on the forestay. No grass, etc. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
my "old fashioned" hanked on sails work just fine. As my dad noted about equipment loaded cars, its just more stuff to break and have to fix. Regarding flaking the sail, I worked out a way to flake my semi-decksweeper 150% while its still hanked on the forestay. No grass, etc. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Let's see...
That's FOUR H23's with hank-on headsails! I guess we know a good thing when we see it. Happy hank-on sailing to you all. Peter H23 "Raven"
That's FOUR H23's with hank-on headsails! I guess we know a good thing when we see it. Happy hank-on sailing to you all. Peter H23 "Raven"
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