to roller furl or not to roller furl

[john churchill]

my 11 year old harken furler failed the dock crash test yesterday (25 kts, gusting to 35 is my excuse). everything below the feeder is pretty well shot. fixing it will be close to buying a new one. i am on the verge of ordering a new working jib, have a genny with luff tape and a storm jib with luff tape and grommets (no hanks). i am waiting to hear from harken if parts are available to fix it and an approximate cost, but the guy wasn't very optimistic. assuming it is totalled, my choices are to replace it with a new one or switch to hank on jibs.
what are people's thoughts on the advisability of furlers on a small (26') sloop for offshore work. it has been great for around the bay, but when time comes to change sails, it is a real pain with the furler, e.g. partially furled working jib needs to be unfurled prior to putting up the storm jib, and is completely free as it comes out of the foil.
thanks in advance for your input on this non controversial topic.

P.S. keep your furlers away from docks, they are expensive.



jchurchill@erols.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>... fixing it will be close to buying a new one.<<

Bad luck. I have a CDI furler... guaranteed forever against everything.

>>... but when time comes to change sails, ...<<

That's the trade. OTOH, with a furler, you can furl the jib or genoa in bad air without going forward.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Darin Bartram]

I have a CDI furler... guaranteed forever against everything.

Neil, is that a Cruising Design furler? I think I have the same on my CD26. The spool on the bottom of mine is chipped, and I have been looking to replace it. Any idea on how to get in touch with the company for spare parts?



dbartram@hunton.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>...is that a Cruising Design furler?<<

Yup. Don't have the phone #, but they are located in Beverly, MA. If you can't find them, let me know.

Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Gary McDonough]

Darin,

I too have a CDI flexible furler. Their web site is www.sailcdi.com

Gary

I have a CDI furler... guaranteed forever against everything.

Neil, is that a Cruising Design furler? I think I have the same on my CD26. The spool on the bottom of mine is chipped, and I have been looking to replace it. Any idea on how to get in touch with the company for spare parts?

garym@taxinvest.com

[shaft]

John,

Are you OK? In my experience, docks can be most unforgiving. In an earlier message, re: solar panels I advised you to be sure to have "rectifer" in circuit. Temporary brain lapse, I meant DIODE.
Hope all is well.
M



thebobers@erols.com

[Al Levesque]

Yup. Don't have the phone #, but they are located in Beverly, MA. If you can't find them, let me know.

Since I have the Beverly directory handy I thought I would list the number. It is 978-922-2322.

Al



levesquealbert@netscape.net

[Lyn Heiges]

Diodes ARE rectifiers!! They are a two element devices whether from the ancient days of electron tubes (when I went for my EE degree), early selenium rectifiers or solid state junction devices. They allow the current to go in only one direction and thus, when used in direct current (DC) circuits alone, they allow the current to go forward and not in reverse. In alternating current (AC) circuits they allow the current to flow during one-half of the current cycle, but not the other half. One thing that has to be allowed for is the inverse current rating of the diode(s) to prevent damage (or burn-out) of the diodes. Peak inverse voltage is also a concern in AC applications.

FYI

Lyn Heiges

John,

Are you OK? In my experience, docks can be most unforgiving. In an earlier message, re: solar panels I advised you to be sure to have "rectifer" in circuit. Temporary brain lapse, I meant DIODE.
Hope all is well.
M

lheiges@compuserve.com