We just bought a 26X and are now working on outfitting it. We think the roller furling would be a great option for us as we are brand new sailors but the salesman is trying to talk us out of it because he says it is a real pain to deal with when you're raising and lowering the mast for trailering. Does anyone have a roller furling that trailers a lot? Is it true? Does the ease of use counter the set-up issues? TIA Linda
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Bob Cassel
Trailering with Furler
I have a CDI furler and 150 genny on my 26S and can only say that I love it. I don't have the mast raising kit so it has added considerable weight to stepping the mast single handed. If you are getting the new boat, get the mast raising kit and the CDI, you will not regret it. You may want to aftermarket purchase if the price is right.
I have a CDI furler and 150 genny on my 26S and can only say that I love it. I don't have the mast raising kit so it has added considerable weight to stepping the mast single handed. If you are getting the new boat, get the mast raising kit and the CDI, you will not regret it. You may want to aftermarket purchase if the price is right.
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Hank B.
Furling and Trailering
I bought a used Mac 26X with the roller furling option. It is a pain to raise and lower with the roller furler on. Even with the mast raising system it takes at least 2 persons to get it up and down, not to mention pinning the furler on the bow. Once it's up its great, it's just the hassle of the added weight and wieldiness of the furler and mast. For trailering, I'd go with the standard jib or genoa. If you stay pretty close to home, get a mast-up location or in-the-water slip. Just my 2 cents worth.
I bought a used Mac 26X with the roller furling option. It is a pain to raise and lower with the roller furler on. Even with the mast raising system it takes at least 2 persons to get it up and down, not to mention pinning the furler on the bow. Once it's up its great, it's just the hassle of the added weight and wieldiness of the furler and mast. For trailering, I'd go with the standard jib or genoa. If you stay pretty close to home, get a mast-up location or in-the-water slip. Just my 2 cents worth.
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Henry Baker
trailering furler
Linda-- We bought a new Macgregor26x about a month ago...with the CDI roller furler. Since we keep our boat on a trailer we've found the furling system to be kind of a pain. We've decided to replace it with a conventional forestay and jib for this season at least, while we learn about the boat. I dropped a pin from the furler drum in the water while trying to set it up and this helped make up my mind to stow the furler for a while. Did you get your 26 at Boating Atlanta? Henry
Linda-- We bought a new Macgregor26x about a month ago...with the CDI roller furler. Since we keep our boat on a trailer we've found the furling system to be kind of a pain. We've decided to replace it with a conventional forestay and jib for this season at least, while we learn about the boat. I dropped a pin from the furler drum in the water while trying to set it up and this helped make up my mind to stow the furler for a while. Did you get your 26 at Boating Atlanta? Henry
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Linda
Boating Atlanta
Henry, Yes! We are buying it at Boating Atlanta. So far they've been great. Funny some people say get it and others say it's a pain. I'm sure that we'll have trouble with it though, because we're so new to sailing. Is it possible to rig it on land so as not to drop any pins? How do you know about Boating Atlanta? Linda
Henry, Yes! We are buying it at Boating Atlanta. So far they've been great. Funny some people say get it and others say it's a pain. I'm sure that we'll have trouble with it though, because we're so new to sailing. Is it possible to rig it on land so as not to drop any pins? How do you know about Boating Atlanta? Linda
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Bob Cassel
Yes, rig it on land
I rig my 26S on land whenever possible. Dropping a pin is always a possiblity.
I rig my 26S on land whenever possible. Dropping a pin is always a possiblity.
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Linda
Trailering furling thanks!
Thanks everyone, We really appreciate all of the input. Although most people said no, don't get the roller furling. After doing some more research on our own, the good seems to outweigh the bad. We decided to take Bob's advice and give it a go!
Thanks everyone, We really appreciate all of the input. Although most people said no, don't get the roller furling. After doing some more research on our own, the good seems to outweigh the bad. We decided to take Bob's advice and give it a go!
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Kevin Barry
Furling and sailing
Hi Linda, Even though you've already decided the furling issue, I have to tell you that roller furling is one of the best options you will ever have! You made the right choice (in my humble opinion). In regard to coastal cruising, the mac can handle 20 to 30 knot winds fairly well if you know what you're doing, and if things get a little to hairy, well that's the beauty of having a power-sailor like the mack. Crank up the engine and motor to a safe harbor. Fair winds and enjoy!
Hi Linda, Even though you've already decided the furling issue, I have to tell you that roller furling is one of the best options you will ever have! You made the right choice (in my humble opinion). In regard to coastal cruising, the mac can handle 20 to 30 knot winds fairly well if you know what you're doing, and if things get a little to hairy, well that's the beauty of having a power-sailor like the mack. Crank up the engine and motor to a safe harbor. Fair winds and enjoy!
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Jerome
Get furling system
easy to raise mast if furling system tied to mast tightly with bow knot. Also instead of using Mac winch to raise mast get hand crank winch and attach to fordeck hold down one person can raise mast and when in position winch will hold mast and forstay pin can be inserted.
easy to raise mast if furling system tied to mast tightly with bow knot. Also instead of using Mac winch to raise mast get hand crank winch and attach to fordeck hold down one person can raise mast and when in position winch will hold mast and forstay pin can be inserted.
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Bob
Roller furling and mast handling
I developed a mast-raising rig that makes the added hassle of the furler much less of a hassle. The mast is never out of control, even if used on the water so you have time to solve any complication. See it at community.webshots.com/web pages/webshots community/user pages/griffinaero2/Venture We love our furler-reefer.
I developed a mast-raising rig that makes the added hassle of the furler much less of a hassle. The mast is never out of control, even if used on the water so you have time to solve any complication. See it at community.webshots.com/web pages/webshots community/user pages/griffinaero2/Venture We love our furler-reefer.
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Mike
How I trailer with a furling
The furling will be attached at the top where your forestay now is attached. The bottom of the furling, where the can will be will end up being about 2-3 feet longer than the bottom of the mast. Think of a triangle, the furler is the longest side. Make sure you secure the bottom of the furler with a board of some kind to extend the bottom of the mast. I tape a board to the bottom of the mast and secure the furler around it. Also secure the rest of the furler to the mast. You don't want to store the furler with a big bend in it. It does make raising the mast a heavier job than without it, but it is still managable. If when raising your mast you think it will tend to lean or pull to starboard or port during the raise, put the furler on the opposite side of the mast to balance the raise and this will make it easier.
The furling will be attached at the top where your forestay now is attached. The bottom of the furling, where the can will be will end up being about 2-3 feet longer than the bottom of the mast. Think of a triangle, the furler is the longest side. Make sure you secure the bottom of the furler with a board of some kind to extend the bottom of the mast. I tape a board to the bottom of the mast and secure the furler around it. Also secure the rest of the furler to the mast. You don't want to store the furler with a big bend in it. It does make raising the mast a heavier job than without it, but it is still managable. If when raising your mast you think it will tend to lean or pull to starboard or port during the raise, put the furler on the opposite side of the mast to balance the raise and this will make it easier.
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