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opwan2002 · 28-05-2012, 13:02

I'm cruising later toward the end of the year. I don't as yet have a cruising spinnaker and have decided on an Asymetrical. My Question is this...
#1-Best value (as in where to buy...I saw a thread on Rolly Tasker and the national sail supply rep "Dirk") Anyone have contact information?
#2-Does anyone have experience with RollGen or a similar Furlling-type system for cruising spinnaker use, and what do you think about them? Lessons learned, would you buy a furling system again if you were starting out like me? Thanks.

I gotta long road ahead to prepare for this, but it is an adventure/lifestyle that I'm looking forward to. Hope to see some of you out there. Capt. D SV "Gabby Wray".

cwyckham · 28-05-2012, 13:29

We use an ATN sock instead of a furler. Much cheaper and works great. Had the spinnaker up and down again about 4 times on Sunday (light and variable winds) with zero issues.

opwan2002 · 28-05-2012, 13:49

I appreciate all of the sock users out there, and although that is still an option, I want specifically to hear from those who have used some sort of furling device with their ASO

RainDog · 28-05-2012, 20:05

Maybe I am missing something, but a furled asym does not make any sense to me. It is only attached in two spots, the sail shape is wrong, you never reef it, and you need to be able to adjust luff tension. A furler is more complicated and expensive than the sock and harder to use.

**Ex-Calif** · 28-05-2012, 20:24

There are a couple of ways to go in furling a spinnaker. Traditional around the stay or one in which the spinnaker furls separately.

We have a guy here who struggles with his sock. He believes the sock is too small for the sail. For cruising a furling mite is a good idea in my book. For racing, a crew beats sock or furler.

opwan2002 · 28-05-2012, 21:23

I know its a relatively new concept to the cruising community, but racers have been using it for years. Looks like a viable option for aso deployment. Not sure about cost, but having the ability to launch the chute from the cockpit may be wor http://check out this link. There's another video search...code D,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031P5...e_gdata_player

th it.

opwan2002 · 28-05-2012, 21:46

Furling a spinnaker may be a relatively new concept for the cruising community, but not one without merrit. If I can launch the chute from the cockpit, it may be an option worth exploring.

cwyckham · 28-05-2012, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainDog

Maybe I am missing something, but a furled asym does not make any sense to me. It is only attached in two spots, the sail shape is wrong, you never reef it, and you need to be able to adjust luff tension. A furler is more complicated and expensive than the sock and harder to use.

I think it's a great idea. I guess I don't adjust luff tension very often. Being able to launch and retrieve from the cockpit is huge. That's why we all have roller furling jibs. Just to expensive for me.

opwan2002 · 28-05-2012, 22:16

>Raindog: more expensive? Probably. More complicated to use? Verdict still out on that one. Search the net, there are several companies making them withe video on the popular sites. Looks pretty easy to me, but "I got no experience" flying a chute so looks may be deceiving.

**hummingway** · 28-05-2012, 23:18

I have sailed on a friends boat, C&C 38, that had a roller furling asym. I don't remember the make; it was made in British Columbia. It was a lot of fun to use. Furl, tack and unfurl. On the other hand a very experience friend tells me they let their asym flap while tacking and then walk the sheet around the stay which sounds easier then furling or dousing at each tack.

RainDog · 29-05-2012, 07:50

It does look practical. Price is not too bad either.

VirtualVagabond · 29-05-2012, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainDog

It does look practical. Price is not too bad either.

Had a quick look at their catalogue. Impressive.

Couldn't find any pricing.

What did you find?

**hummingway** · 29-05-2012, 10:43

You will likely have to modify your bowsprit and your masthead though. If memory serves it cost my friend on the C&C about $5k CDN.

Ocean Girl · 29-05-2012, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwyckham

I think it's a great idea. I guess I don't adjust luff tension very often. Being able to launch and retrieve from the cockpit is huge. That's why we all have roller furling jibs. Just to expensive for me.

You can launch and retrieve from the cockpit with a sock easily. At least on my boat (34 feet) it is easy.