Roller furler on a CD27

[Nebe]

I think I’m going to bite the bullet and add one to my boat. My Genoa is really tired so this is the time to make the conversion.

CD27 owners with a furler ... what do you recommend ? I was thinking Harken.

[tjr818]

We have a Harken MK I fuller that must be twenty years old. It still works great, but when we use it for our 130 we just about run out of drum, and we are using tapered dynema line for the furling, 1/8" at the drum and 5/16" for the hands. Decide what size genoa you are going to use and look for an appropriate drum size would be my advice.

[Nebe]

Thanks for the reply! Interesting.. I was considering the MK0 as it says its for boats up to 30 feet with a max of 15' footed Genoa. After hearing this, is back to the drawing board.

Anyone else have any input? Oh another question- I am looking at whisker poles. Any recommendations ? Forspar has a 7-12' telescopic pole, but it seems so flimsy @ only 1.5 inches wide.

[mgphl52]

I am very biased to ProFurl after having them on my last 3 boats (of course that's counting KAYLA twice...). Was just out this Saturday and didn't turn back soon enough... A front came through with high winds and swells when I had the 135% fully out. With some effort, I was able to roll up sections, re-trim and roll-up more, several times. Yes, I was solo... From my experience crewing with friends that had various models of Harken & Schaeffer furlers, I know it would have been much tougher to reduce the head sail on them vs the ProFurl. I would suggest shopping marine consignment/salvage stores for a used ProFurl. KAYLA's is over 25 years old and still works flawlessly.

And, "Yes!" the 1.5 inch telescoping whisker pole is way to light for your CD27.

[Paul D.]

I installed a Harken MkIII in 2002 and it has worked very well in winds up to 50 knots - just when I really, really needed it - ever since. I only flushed it with fresh water and monitored the furling line and swivels (Also I do spray the foil slot or genoa bolt rope area with McLube during spring fitting out.) Next season I think I will proactively replace the original black furling line.

[Nebe]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like about 2k for a furler and 2k for a new Genoa. My Main is only 1 season old so if I do this I will be looking might good out there.

[Nebe]

Well... after lots of research, I went with an Alado furler from Brazil. I like the idea of an aluminum luff foil over plastic and these seem to be very trouble free and easy to instal. As for a new 150% Genoa, I’m going with Hyde Sails. Can’t wait till spring!

[tjr818]

I have no experience with other than aluminum foils, but be advised that aluminum foils can bend.

[Ben Miller]

I'd be interested to hear about your experience with Hyde Sails and the new genoa.

[Nebe]

I have no experience with other than aluminum foils, but be advised that aluminum foils can bend.

this is true, but they are more robust than PVC...

[Nebe]

I'd be interested to hear about your experience with Hyde Sails and the new genoa.

I will be happy to share my experience as it unfolds. I have to do a bunch of measuring once I instal the furler to insure a perfect fit. My current 150 is a blown out bed sheet so this should be an awesome upgrade.

[Nebe]

Just received my new Alado furler from Brazil. Wow... what a solidly built drum. You could shoot this thing out of a cannon, have it hit a coconut tree, Shoot it from another cannon back at at you and it would probably still work just fine. No wonder there is a lifetime warrantee on parts. If theres interest, i will post some pictures of this beast.

[Jim Walsh]

Just received my new Alado furler from Brazil. Wow... what a solidly built drum. You could shoot this thing out of a cannon, have it hit a coconut tree, Shoot it from another cannon back at at you and it would probably still work just fine. No wonder there is a lifetime warrantee on parts. If theres interest, i will post some pictures of this beast.

If you post your project in the "Cape Dory project descriptions and photos" section it will be helpful to anyone considering an Alado Furler installation. I would be interested and I'm certain others would appreciate it also.

[jneely]

I replaced my Furlex with a CDI fuller. It has its own halyard and no upper swivel. No ball bearings either. Mine was installed by Doyle Sails and has worked flawlessly all season. Very easy to furl and at least half the cost of a Furlex replacement.

[Nebe]

Installed the Alado in about 2.5 hours on sunday. If anyone installs one of these I am going to offer one tip- after you slide all of the foils up and you make your measurements to cut the last foil, make sure to check that there are no gaps in the sections up at your mast head. I did not and thankfully i had an extra 5 foot track to cut to the correct size. The only other issue is that my spinnaker halyard operates on a block that is shackled to a hoop at the mast head and the furler's halyard sheave block slightly impedes on the halyard. Not a big deal, but If I was going to do any long distance passage making it could equate to a chafe issue.