Hi Arnold,
In installed a CDI furler on my M-17 this spring since I sail mostly
single-handed and was attracted by being able to control the headsail size in
varying
winds without leaving the cockpit. Since with a furler a single sail stays
on the boat most of the time, I gave considerable thought to the sail size
which would cover a wide range of conditions. It seemed like a large genoa,
such
as a 150% or bigger would have to be reefed a too much of the time sailing
under normal conditions, and I thought it might lose too much shape when reefed
down to working jib (100% - 110%) size. Since you would have to use a
heavier sail cloth to cover the range of wind conditions, when unfurled as a
drifter, you would not have the lightness such sails usually have.
I chose a 135% genoa with luff foam made by Elliot Pattison, and this has
worked fine for me. Most of the time I sail it unreefed, and when reefed it
down to the 110% range (about two or three turns), it retains good shape and
still sails well to windward. I have reefed it down smaller (maybe 80%), and it
still sails fine. Luff tension is not a problem since the luff tape and
plastic foil provide adequate stiffness. I use a backstay tensioner to
control the
headsail luff shape.
The CDI unit is not too hard to install, simple to operate, and seems to be
bulletproof in operation. It's so easy to work that you can react quickly to
changing wind conditions. Having used it now for several months, I wouldn't
be without it.
Hope this helps,
Rick
M-17 #633 Lynne L
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