Jib Replacement

[Les Bloom]

I recently replaced the main sail on PYEWACKET
with one from North Sails here in Portsmouth, RI. I want to replace the jib this Fall/Winter & I was thinking about installing a furling system. What are the pro's & con's for a furling system for a TY WEEKENDER? What about different manufacturers? I am interested in the information now, as the NEWPORT BOAT SHOW will be coming
up soon,and I think their will be some good discounts, if you know what you are doing.

By the way the old main & jib are OEM from 1974, been in uses
for 35 years. I think if is about time that they are replaced. I am the fifth owner, and for those from Rhode Island she was known as
WHAT CHEER for many years.

Any info & comments would be appreicated.

[Jeff G]

The first thing is to decide if you want a "furling" or "reefing" system. A roller furler is good if your tired of hanking on and off the jib at the end of the day. You roll it up like a big window shade. I believe CDI makes a good one. A roller reefing system is quite different. A roller reefing system is good if you want to shorten the headsail while out on the water. Generally this appeals to the sailor who wants to fly a genoa and reef it down to a jib when the wind picks up. Sails for this system must be cut special to flatten as they are rolled up. I believe Pro Furl is considered top of the line and prices go down from there. The cost between the two types of system will be different.

[seajunkie]

I added a furler that I can reef. I haven't had to use it reefed yet, but I love it. I'm not into racing and it makes dealing with the head sail a non issue.

[Neil Gordon]

Doesn't every furler simply roll the genoa around the foil? What makes one a furler and another a reefer?

I agree that the sail needs to be cut for roller reefing or it loses shape as it's rolled. That's about the sail though and not the furler/reefer.

[SeaBelle]

I believe the distinction is that roller reefing can reef the genny while a roller furler can only roll it all the way up. That distinction may be obsolete now that roller furlers are (almost?) obsolete.