I installed a CDI furler on my boat over the weekend. I was dissappointed after the first day, since the upper part of the furler hit against the mast and the foot of the luff didn't fit into the lower part of the guide track. After sleeping on it, I decided to use an elongated shackle to bring the head of the unit out from the mast enough to clear it. I think the shackle will work well, but I must be sure to tighten it well before each use, just to be sure it doesn't work loose. I will keep a close eye on it for awhile! This also meant that I had to open the furling unit and adjust the turnbuckle to compensate for the length of the extra shackle at the top.
After accomplishing that task I decided that I would have to cut the lower part of the cording in the luff so the lower part of the luff could be inserted into the lower part of the luff track and also to allow the groumet to be easily fastened to the downhaul on the turning drum. I may have to have alittle stitching done on the luff foot and perhaps even have it shortened alittle so I can down haul better. I believe it will work well even without the last two procedures. I did manage to avoid installing fairleads to guide the retractor line. I just used one pulley block and conected it to the eye for the lower safety line on my bow rail. The boat is so short that it only needs to be cleated off on the cleat that already exists on the cockpit gunwall. I don't know if this will be helpful for anyone installing a furler, but I had a furler on my last boat and I'm sure it will be well worth having again despite the the pitfalls of installing it. "Still The One" Lou Aliotta _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
