Gilbert Landin wrote:
"I just installed a new CDI last year, I did order a new forestay from jerry
and it came in perfect, I measured and remeasure and took pictures but it
was worth it. I would not go back to hanked sails its nice when finished to
just roll away. BTW I would remove the mast to remove the furler, this will
give you an opportunity to inspect the stay for meathooks and corrosion."
>Yes, thank you Gilbert.
I agree, a furler is handy. No problem there.
At the same time, because they are so handy I feel a set of compromises
comes about.
That rolled up sail 22 feet into the air represents an uncomfortable
mass to me.
I keep my boat fully rigged and on the trailer in a marina parking
lot....sort of. I have been working on the boat when some high winds
have been passing through. That big sausage generates a lot of pressure
on the rig. It can shake a fair whack as well. Shakes the whole boat and
trailer big time.
First day out with this boat was a pretty strong pressure day. More than
I would have preferred on a first sail on older equipment. We pushed the
boat hard on all points of sail and sailed with the headsail alone just
to see what kind of balance we had. Very nice. Main alone, also very
nice. Anyway at one point we rolled up the genny and tied down the main
to see what the 17 was like in a bit of a sea and 15-20 knots with no
sail up. I recorded steady 3.5 to 4 knots boat speed....straight down
hill. I thought the big sausage might have a bit to do with that. Not
that going that fast without sail is all that terrible....I just found
it kind of interesting.
I am a "balanced rig for the condition" kind of guy. I love the feeling
of being out in strong winds and having a nicely drawing working jib and
a reefed main. All calm and in control....yet with as much (and in many
cases more) boat speed that if a larger patch was set. With the 150 on
the furler it is all fine to a point, until you want less headsail. On
anything down from a beam reach it works ok....anything above a beam
reach on a partially furled 150 and it just plain sucks. (including
changing clew lead) My humble opinion only of course.
So there is that. I do like the proper sail for the proper condition and
that would be my main reason to not use the furler.
The last thing that bothers me a bit is all that weight and the big
clunky 'hammer' on the end of the stay that is a royal pain in the
gronicals when rigging and tearing down. I have not gotten to the point
that the handiness of the furler outweighs the previously mentioned issues.
One thing is for sure, my wife Daphne loves the furler just the way it
is and I think I might have an interesting conversation or two trying to
get her over to my side side on this one.
Cheers all.
Tim Diebert
M17 #369
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