I am considering the purchase of a Catalina 27. It currently does not have a roller furling system but seperate jib and genoa. The owner said he likes the seperate sails better and that one gets better performance as opposed to a sail mounted with a furling system. Is this comment valid, and if so is the performance gain significnat if you're not a racer?
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Pete Peterson
Performance gain?
He could be right, but then again, he could just be trying to sell a boat that lacks what is standard equipment on just about every new boat sold. How about this for performance gain - sitting safely in the cockpit while you furl in a jib when the wind has come up, compared to holding on to a pounding foredeck while trying to take down a hanked-on jib? After experiencing the latter with my first boat, I prefer the "performance" of the former.
He could be right, but then again, he could just be trying to sell a boat that lacks what is standard equipment on just about every new boat sold. How about this for performance gain - sitting safely in the cockpit while you furl in a jib when the wind has come up, compared to holding on to a pounding foredeck while trying to take down a hanked-on jib? After experiencing the latter with my first boat, I prefer the "performance" of the former.
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Ruth
Get the furling main too
...your wife or significant other will probably want to sail more often...
...your wife or significant other will probably want to sail more often...
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Trevor
You could always install a furler down the road
I agree that furling headsails are great to have. However, you can maximize sail area without a furler (sail can reach closer to the deck without drum) and you can use the right sail for the right conditions easier (i.e. using a blade cut high for heavy air as opposed to compromising by reefing a furled genoa). However, I think most people would agree that having a furler is a better trade-off. If you are getting a good deal on the boat, you can always install a furler yourself and have the headsails recut to fit (don't forget to add UV protection strip). Good luck! Trevor
I agree that furling headsails are great to have. However, you can maximize sail area without a furler (sail can reach closer to the deck without drum) and you can use the right sail for the right conditions easier (i.e. using a blade cut high for heavy air as opposed to compromising by reefing a furled genoa). However, I think most people would agree that having a furler is a better trade-off. If you are getting a good deal on the boat, you can always install a furler yourself and have the headsails recut to fit (don't forget to add UV protection strip). Good luck! Trevor
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Peter
always a trade off
My c27 came with furling, and I've been very happy with it. But, the more I sail, the more I seem to change sails for the particular weather/winds. Reefing with furling produces an ok sail shape, but not that good. I'd probably skip the furling now (well it would be a difficult decision at least), but it sure made the first few years of sailing easier, and makes single handling easier.
My c27 came with furling, and I've been very happy with it. But, the more I sail, the more I seem to change sails for the particular weather/winds. Reefing with furling produces an ok sail shape, but not that good. I'd probably skip the furling now (well it would be a difficult decision at least), but it sure made the first few years of sailing easier, and makes single handling easier.
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Peter Hine
Furling Main on a 27?
Ruth refers to a "furling main". They're the rage on large boats (40+ ft,), but I've never seen such a thing on a boat as small as a C27. They roll the main up inside the mast, and the 27 mast (I would think) would be way too small to do that. Am I wrong?
Ruth refers to a "furling main". They're the rage on large boats (40+ ft,), but I've never seen such a thing on a boat as small as a C27. They roll the main up inside the mast, and the 27 mast (I would think) would be way too small to do that. Am I wrong?
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Mike Turner
Alternative
Pick up a copy of this month's Small Craft Advisor magazine, it has an article and diagram of a way to run a line that will both pull down the jib and bundle it up at the same time (not just a downhaul, but actually kind of wraps the sail up). If I didn't already have a roller furler I'd probably try it; certainly cheaper than buying a roller furler. It's only good for dropping the sail though, not roller reefing.
Pick up a copy of this month's Small Craft Advisor magazine, it has an article and diagram of a way to run a line that will both pull down the jib and bundle it up at the same time (not just a downhaul, but actually kind of wraps the sail up). If I didn't already have a roller furler I'd probably try it; certainly cheaper than buying a roller furler. It's only good for dropping the sail though, not roller reefing.
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Charles Olson
To Roller or Not to Roller...
Well, I considered the same question when I purchased my 27 and started asking around. The answers I found were as follows: 1. Roller furls make it easier to unfurl the jib. 2. There is adistinct reduction in speed and overall performance because ofthe placement of the sail and its size. It was suggested to me from a cat racer that I purchase a 135 sail and use it. It starts out sluggish but with some creative trimming, you'll be zipping along...Good luck in your decision. I also have started a group at Yahoo.com-Catalina27. Check it out and all 27 owners are welcome to join... Charles
Well, I considered the same question when I purchased my 27 and started asking around. The answers I found were as follows: 1. Roller furls make it easier to unfurl the jib. 2. There is adistinct reduction in speed and overall performance because ofthe placement of the sail and its size. It was suggested to me from a cat racer that I purchase a 135 sail and use it. It starts out sluggish but with some creative trimming, you'll be zipping along...Good luck in your decision. I also have started a group at Yahoo.com-Catalina27. Check it out and all 27 owners are welcome to join... Charles
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Brian Short
Pulpit sail bag
I recently purchased a 27' without the roller furling. It does have an ondeck sail bag in the pulpit, which means I don't have to remove the sail each time I'm done for the day. A great compromise, as I like to sail year round and need to change sails occasionally.
I recently purchased a 27' without the roller furling. It does have an ondeck sail bag in the pulpit, which means I don't have to remove the sail each time I'm done for the day. A great compromise, as I like to sail year round and need to change sails occasionally.
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