Gennaker Furler Systems

[John Danicic]

Well spring is definitely not here in the upper midwest but sailing talk is beginning to make an appearance on all the communicative fronts be they electronic or direct human eye contact over dark roast.

The subject of "Gennaker Furlers" came up over dinner the other night and since that is a new one to me, I ask the collective wisdom of the board to chime in with an opinion or experience when it comes to our particular boats.

Any knowledge you would like to relate? All the usual questions. How reliable? Strong in high winds? Or is this just another gimmick to get us to spend our boat bucks?

[bobdugan]

I've been thinking about this too:

http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/04/10/ ... od-review/

Bob

[John Danicic]

It appears that there is not much interest or experience in a gennaker furler for a CD.

So let me share what I have found out.

The research I have done is that they are a pretty good addition for ease of sail handling and will allow you to set a light-wind sail more frequently then you otherwise would. This would be especially helpful for those who sail around islands with their fluky winds like I do.

Here is a video that makes it look almost too easy. Bamar Rollgen Spinnaker Furlers

My big problem is, "will it fit with the set up I now have"?

The answer is, "no", not with out modifications. The spinnaker bale a-top the mast is too short to accommodate the furler head of the gennaker and the furler head of the yankee. It is too short in any event even with-out the gennaker furler as I currently have to store the gennaker lines fowled around the shrouds and spreaders to keep them out of the way.

The Base of the gennaker has plenty of room between the Yankee furler and the pulpit if the base of the furler is attached to the middle bar of the center stanchion of the pulpit. Many models of these furlers show that they are attached in this manner. Strong enough is this? What do we think?

I got the answer to the masthead problem from Travis at Mack Sails:

"We usually remove the existing spinn crane and make a new larger one matching the same foot print so it is easy to install. We like to see eight inches out from the headstay clevis pin." He gave me a range in cost of $175 to $200.00 to fabricate this piece.


So my new question to the board is. How is that bale attached to the mast head? Through bolted? Lock screwed in? Do you think it can be removed with the mast up or does the whole crane need to come off?

Anyone know?

[Adamhagan]

Hi John,

Thanks for the research, I've been considering ways to add a light wind sail. I was looking at a drifter, but I need to finish the other projects first.

Sidebar: I received the Scanstrut mount A-OK! I will begin installation of the Raymarine E7D and 18" digital radome mounted to the mizzen. They begin deconstructing the port chainplate this week, and bottom work as well. The boat problem list is a never ending joy!

Good Luck,

Adam

[SurryMark]

As soon as they were available I bought a Selden for my 27, to use with an asymmetrical I had. It seemed like a great idea - fly on starboard reach, quick furl, jibe, fly on port reach. I could never make it work. It came out nicely but twisted on the rewind and I'd have to find a beach to unwrap and roll it again. The problem seemed to be that my sail was cut too full, and about half way through the furl it catches and wraps the other way: you'd just have to see it. Then I sold Tula. I never did call Selden to see if they could work me through a solution, but I'm pretty sure that a flatter sail is called for. Also, I suspect that the "quick furl" is not as quick as, say, coming about with a genny.
I also made a longer bail for the mast top to keep the halyard from catching on the top genny furler. I put another rugged bail on the anchor roller for the tack.
When we did fly the sail, without benefit of furler or sock, the boat hauled! Once, with asym and mizzen only in 20+ kts, I swear it seemed like we were surfing. Don't try that at home.

[John Danicic]

Mark:

Did you make the new bail out stainless steel? Do you remember how it was attached to the mast head crane? How long did you make it? Was the Selden a "top down furler"?

[Paul D.]

John,

I was up our mast last summer and I swear the bale for the spinnaker is welded to the crane fitting. It was when I was replacing the mast light bulb and checking the rigging terminations.