CD 27 sails

[Doug McFadden]

The time has come to replace the 30 year old headsails on Last Chance. I replaced the main last year with a fully battened, triple reefed bullet proof job built by AirForce Sails. I love it. I have a 150% Hood genoa that still works but the standard jib flutters, is stretched and needs replacing. I have decided not to go with roller furling - in part because I also have a useful storm jib. Winds in my area often get up to 15knots so the 100% jib is about the right size but I'm thinking that a 110 or120% jib, possibly with a reef, would be the most versatile.
Does anybody have an opinion?

[marka]

Linda Jean's ('81 CD 27) are also original. The jib is the standard 100% on a roller furler. It's perfect for 15 kts and I wouldn't change it.

[Doug McFadden]

Thanks for the advice.
One of the reasons I was thinking about a slightly larger sail is the positioning of the sail track, or should I say tracks, as I occasionally use the coach roof track when going to windward - even though it doesn't mesh well with the winches. My problem was that I couldn't get the flutter out of the jib when using the deck mounted sail track - I thought maybe it couldn't be sheeted properly (far enough forward) and would benefit from having the longer foot of a 110 or 120. I suppose it is more likely that the flutter is just a result of being stretched.
Thanks again.

[Warren Kaplan]

I've got a 110% furling genny if I'm sailing in consistently stronger winds. But I really use my 140% furling genny most of the time for light air and even air up to about 15 knots (with a reefed mainsail if necessary). If I still feel overpowered, I'll take a few turns on the headsail furler and reduce the size of the headsail.

The nice thing about a furler is that you can have a bigger sail up there most times and reduce sail quickly by furling if you have to. True, the partially furled headsail doesn't set as well as one specifically cut to size but honestly in higher winds, there is usually enough drive to make the boat sail just fine and dandy even if the set of the sail isn't perfect.

[Doug McFadden]

So there is somebody out there with a 110% jib! I do appreciate the advantages of a furler but the boat is in Mexico and I don't want to go through the hassle of setting up a furling system.

[Bob Owens]

My set-up is like Warren's (We both sail on Long Island Sound), and I would second his comments about the usefulness of the 140% genoa on a roller-furler.

[Doug McFadden]

Thank you. Do you guys have a preference for furlers?

[Warren Kaplan]

There are lots of good furlers out there. I've had a furlex for about 5 years now and it works fine PROVIDING you take care of it.

All that means is inspecting and greasing the thing at the beginning of the year....not a big job. Also keeping some tensions on the lines as you furl and unfurl the sail is a must. If you do that they are usually very reliable!

[Neil Gordon]

There are lots of good furlers out there. I've had a furlex for about 5 years now and it works fine PROVIDING you take care of it.

I've had a CDI furler on LIQUIDITY for about 10 years. It's performed flawlessly with (as designed) ZERO maintenance.

[Bob Owens]

My Harken furler unit is getting on toward ten years old, and it works flawlessly. Doesn't require lubrication, just flushing the bearing units with clean water periodically.

[Doug McFadden]

Thank you all for your input. It looks like there are not many of you sailing without a furler. I'm beginning to lean towards the CDI flexible furler mostly because of the simplicity of installation.