Roller Furling Questions.

[snccoulter]

I have my 22 foot Catalina that I am loving. I am installing a couple of cam cleats for the for my sheet lines in the next few weeks. I am also interested in a roller furling setup, but I have a few questions. The first one is what brand would you all recommend? I do not really want to go super expensive. I have seen a few that cost more than the boat I bought. next are they hard to install or should I have someone do it for me. The final question is once it is installed if I understand correctly you do not have to raise and lower the sail often because you can just role it up. When you do need to take the sail down or put it up, right now my sail has clasps that I place on the rigging and it slides up and down. When you have the roller fuller set up do you replace the clasps with skates and they slide in a track or will I have to replace the sail to make this work somehow?

[Stumble]

For small boats I am partial to the Harken systems, but honestly I don't think it is going to be a reasonable investment. First you will probably need to replace your sail. Unless it is brand new you would need to have the hanks replaced with a bolt rope which is going to cost a couple hundred bucks. Then a UV resistant patch is going to need to be added, for another couple hundred dollars. All of which is likely to be a substantial portion of the cost of a new sail anyway.

Instead you might want to look at a jib bag that would allow you to leave the sail slipped onto the foresta all the time, and is removed when you go sailing. On small boats this is pretty common and would save a lot of money.

[neilpride]

Facnor, cheaper and ok for a while!!

[Cheechako]

I doubt the investment is worth it for your boat. You would have to have the sail modified for a bolt rope instead of hanks, as well as the furler cost. Your headsail is so small not worth it. You can bring it down from the cockpit with a "downhaul" setup. Google that for a headsail.
Yes, I like headsail bags, so you can leaved the sheets run (if you want), and sail hanked on when stored.

[jongleur]

Roller reefing and furling is excellent and
well worth having on a boat for ease of
sail handling as well as safety. It could
also increase the value of your boat.

The last roller furler/reefer I had was on
a boat 25 years ago, so I too am interested
in what brand/type others have on their boats.

I'd also like to install it myself without
taking down the mast.

I hope cruisers will post some helpful info
here.

Thanks.

[Yellowtulip]

Roller furling and roller reefing are slightly different things. A roller furling sail will be designed and cut to be fully effective only when fully unrolled. It will be inefficient when part-rolled (or reefed). A roller reefing sail will be designed to be reasonably efficient when part-rolled. You will get the best performance from a rolling headsail when it's made for the job, therefore. That doesn't mean you can't go ahead, have your current sail modified and have fun sailing with it, but you would get a much better result with a new, specially-made sail, or even a second-hand one cut for rolling.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[GordMay]

CDI-FF2 @ ±$500
➥ CDI FF2 Furler

Schaefer Snap Furl CF500 @ ±$600
➥ Schaefer SnapFurl CF-500 Jib Reefing and Furling System

Prices do not include new/modified furling sail.

So, roughly 10% of the total boat value.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by GordMay

CDI-FF2 @ ±$500
➥ CDI FF2 Furler

Schaefer Snap Furl CF500 @ ±$600
➥ Schaefer SnapFurl CF-500 Jib Reefing and Furling System

Prices do not include new/modified furling sail.

So, roughly 10% of the total boat value.

And you will lose performance!

I would leave the hank-on sail for sure!

Hanked-on sails present a much thinner leading edge to the wind, which keeps the air flow attached to the sail much better.

Furling sails have other advantages, of course, which become overwhelmingly important when the headsail gets to a certain size.

But for a boat your size you don't need those advantages; the sail is small enough to be easily handled in any situation. Leave it the way it is, would be my advice!

[Cap Erict3]

A Sailrite Fast Furler is an inexpensive and functional furler.

Adding a boltrope ain't rocket surgery.


Waiting on parts for the 4-154

[roverhi]

Installing a furling system is relatively easy but will probably require a new headstay. The eye terminal ends have to be added after the wire is run through the furler and foils. Not a big expense but something to consider for the overall cost. Most systems use Norseman/StaLok terminals so it's easy to fabricate the headstay. Cost is a consideration as you'll probably have at least a boat unit in the furler alone before you are done.

Even though your sails aren't large, going forward with the motion of the boat and handling the sails is more of a challenge than on a less lively larger vessel. It's just so easy to pull on the furling/reefing line to shorten sail or make it go away entirely.

[JPA Cate]

Stop, guys,

His boat's a Catalina 22, a trailer sailer, from Nooksack, Washington State, the PNW. it will be getting unrigged any time it goes on its trailer. He is not going to be out sailing in 30 knots. Maybe we can save him a few pennies.

Honestly, I think Dockhead has the right of this one. Stay with the hanked on jib. If you want, during the sailing season, a sunbrella sail bag will keep the uv off, and you can make it yourself. Then remove for the non-sailing season.

Ann

[jongleur]

I've seen roller furlers on dinghys.
Harken
The benefits outweigh the negatives.
22' is a fine size to have roller furling.

We're just asking for some product
suggestions/reviews here.

Thanks.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

A Sailrite Fast Furler is an inexpensive and functional furler.

Adding a boltrope ain't rocket surgery.

The FF 1 or 2 are listed as Furler Flexible. Not sure if Fast was ever in the name at this point.

A grey matter transposition thing I reckon.

Rolling Rock isn't a bad beer.


Waiting on parts for the 4-154