Hank on jib furler? DIY preferably....

[Stu Jackson]

If you do as some have suggested, sail for awhile with what you have, consider rigging a jib and a staysail downhaul lines. Then, to douse the sails, sail on a port tack and heave to. Then haul down on the downhaul lines, and the sail(s) will come right down on the deck, pre-folded, because the hanks set that way (from starboard) and you'll have a lot less work to do to roll them up and stuff them in the bag(s). I sailed for 15 years like this before we bought our current sloop with roller furling. It's a neat trick that saves a lot of foredeck work.

[md7a]

In all but the lightest air the Searunner will do surprisingly well on the Yankee and staysail. I have sailed pretty happily without rollers on my 31 for a few years now, and I don't find myself changing sail very often. Some day I will have money for a roller, but not right now.
For storage I have had good luck with canvas hank-on bags from older boats, found at swap meets. The sail stays out of the cabin in summer, and the bags cost around $50.
If you are looking for improvements, the wind vane from the manual has long been on my list of wants. A no-juice autopilot that would allow one to walk around or take a leak is a thing much to be desired.

[montenido]

Hi all,
I had the Mariner-type of furling on my C30 and it was a pain in the as#! The middle of the luff would lazily follow the head and clew, giving a very unsatisfactory furled sail shape. Furthermore, it would sometimes allow the genoa to begin unfurling in the middle, even though the top and bottom were secured (heavy winds).
My advice is not to go this way.
YMMV.
Cheers, Bill