Hi Ruth,
What you need is to no small measure based on how you use the boat.
If you've ever raced or have developed a critical eye for sail shape by other means then you'll want a furler that utilized a double swivel. The double swivel allows halyard tension adjustments in the normal manner.
If you've likely to never use the halyard tension to trim sail shape then many sailors are happy with units with integral halyards and no double swivel. In these units the halyard can only be tensioned on the furler manually (no winch).
The cost of the double swivel units is quite a bit higher but it is reflected in the overall construction as well.
Catalina typically installs Schaefer roller furlers and ours is a model 750. Harken makes another good unit and both are double swivel designs.
I guess I should also point out that sometimes skippers buy a roller furler (stows the sail) unit and think they are getting roller reefing (changes the sail size) system. The key to roller reefing is the use of a specialized reefing headsail not just the mechanical furling unit. A draft on a partially rolled conventional headsail increases making it dangerous in high winds.
Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip
Secretary, Call Sign WCW3485
IC27/270A MMSI 366901790
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 7:39 AM
Subject: catalina27-talk: roller furling
| Want to put a roller furling genoa on my catalina 27 (1987) any suggestions on where to purchase, which brand, and what to be beware of ? |
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