RE: catalina27-talk: furling?

Wed, 17 May 2006 14:28:22 -0700

Hi Gerry,

 

I had to go fix a broken link or two but this should cover it.

 

The overview is http://www.catalina27.org/wingtip/mastsys/overv.jpg

 

The owner of Catalina Direct took the photos. He was a bit skeptical that it was that easy as it sounded. Afterwards he sold one or two copies of it. After my bypass surgery I really need to use two hands but prior to that was really one hand to guide the furler and the other for the block and tackle. So it was a literal single handed. http://www.catalina27.org/wingtip/mastsys/mastsys.html

 

Besides my cable harness that keeps everything on center the key is the tabernacle mast. If a mast is hinged and robustly stable side to side the actual lifting is relatively easy. Since I’m using a fiddle set that cleats off I can stop anywhere in the arc to go check or clear a line or cable that snags in the process.  

 

Phil Agur                    s/v Wing Tip

Commodore,             Call Sign WCW3485

IC27/270A                   MMSI 366901790

www.catalina27.org      Vessel Doc# 1039809

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gerry Banford
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 12:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: furling?

 

Hi Phil,

First thank you for the information and the comparative perspectives. You mention that you single hand step your mast. I am curious how you go about doing this. It seems like a formatable task. Do you have an pics of you doing this?

Cheers for now

Gerry



 

From: "Phil Agur" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: furling?
Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 11:05:11 -0700

Gerry,

 

We have a Schaefer 750* on our C270 and if your boat were new today that’s how it would come.

 

Let’s start with the basics. A roller furler is a system for stowing a headsail. Often the uninitiated hears roller furling and thinks roller reefing and it’s not the same thing at all but more on that later.

 

Let’s talk features:

 

Control lines:

- The drum* style is preferred and could handle a reefing sail.

- The continuous loop style saves space but could slip if asked to handle a reefing sail.

 

Halyard treatment:

- Semi fixed halyards are part of the furler and can only be adjusted at the furler base on the foredeck.

- Double swivels* allow a normal halyard to tension the furling headsail from the cockpit if so rigged.

 

Drum Type:

- A Permanente* drum stay in place at all times.

- Removable drum can be removed leaving the foil alone for use in racing.

 

Foil Type:

-          Rigid* foils are usually aluminum (we trailer our boat a few times a year and I single hand the mast stepping).

-          Flexible foils are easier to deal with if you trailer or step and un-step your mast often.

 

Luff Grooves:

- Single* hoist one sail at a time.

- Twin grooves for doing blanketed sail changes (racing) or hoist twin headsails (cruising) downwind.

 

My recommendation feature wise is indicated by the * above.

 

If you’re really thinking roller reefing then a drum style furler is the first piece however the real key is a sail designed to reef effectively. Attempting to reef a standard cut headsail more than just a small percentage can get you into trouble quickly.

 

A headsail designed to be reefing is cut flatter initially and has padding near the luff. The pad gathers in the sails center draft as you reef making it present a flatter foil shape to the wind. In contrast, when you attempt to reef a standard sail the material that forms the draft of the sail push back into the exposed sail area deepening the effective sail draft which is very bad in high winds.

 

Phil Agur                    s/v Wing Tip

Commodore,             Call Sign WCW3485

IC27/270A                   MMSI 366901790

www.catalina27.org      Vessel Doc# 1039809

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gerry Banford
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 9:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: catalina27-talk: furling?

 

I would like to install a furling on my 27 but not too sure of a type or kind that would be a good choice. I haven't set a price limit yet since I need to know what is out there first. Obviously I would like the best buy for the money spent but I also understand the importance of quality for value. Any suggestions?

West Winds land locked Alberta

 

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