Jim, It probably would never slip, but that would be my concern. I've never sailed in anything over 45 knots and even then I broke things one would normally consider unbreakable.
I'm not saying we all plan to get into that kind of conditions, in fact, we had a lack of wind at the start of that 25 mile leg. I could have pulled the sheets down and motored but other than the extreme roar from the Mylar race sails I thought I had it until the sail slugs started exploding off the top of the main. When you get caught in heavy air you tend to hunker down a bit an not watch things as closely as you might otherwise. If it were to quietly add more sail it could really get you in trouble if it neutralized your weather helm so the next big gust laid you out without rounding up. I've done more than few dangerous things in my day but I like to have all the ducks in a row when I do. Phil PS: A friend brought a Sail Magazine article to my attention a couple of years back that showed the multiple continuous loop furler in use on yachts in the Vendee Globe Race. But here again they were not reefing but swapping headsail selection by furling. ----- Original Message ----- From: James Calleran To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:41 PM Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Preferred Jib Furling System? Phil Agur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: ,,,one should never use a continuous loop control system on a roller reefing sail. Phil, Is this because the continuous loop drum might spin under force of the wind? I have an old CDI continuous line furler (which they, interestingly, called the Reefer), but I have a non-reefing genny, so I've never tried it. I am just curious. Fair Winds, Jim Calleran, C27 #2784, Trad, OB Mathews Yacht Club, VA 37°27.8'N/76°18.6'W ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
