Thanks, Clarence! I hadn't intended to correct you: I thought there might actually be a reason for having a reef-point in a roller-furling jib, just had no idea what that reason would be. Per my first post, below, the World-girdling Pardeys claim from experience that darker sails last longer, so I'll take their first-hand wisdom over any ol' "Practical Sailor" study! :-) --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "n9ca" <n9ca@comcast.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 12:27 PM Subject: reefing point? Craig, Sorry for not expresing my self more clearly. The second reefing point I had reference to was on the MAINSAIL, and not the jib. I had to send my jib back to be modified for use with the CDI. At the same time, I sent the main back for the second reefing point. Thanks Craig for pionting out the error of my ways. As an old professor told me one time that I should pull some of my tail feathers, stick them in my tail, and get more direction and less flight. This is one of those times. Regarding the tanbark sails, Bill Riker has them on Storm Petrel. Last summer at the CBR-2003 we could see those sails in the distance long after all the white sails had dissolved into the mist. Also, I've been told by an old salt that they stand up to UV better than the white ones, but I can't back that up by citing a scientific study. Best regards, Clarence ----- Original Message ----- From: "Honshells" <chonshell@ia4u.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 11:04 AM Subject: reefing point? Clarence, Even though I pollute the M-List frequently with my amateur opinions, I have a lifetime of learning to do. My question: Why would you need a reef-point on a roller-reefing headsail? I'm jealous of your tanbark jib: I'll bet it really "classes up" Carpe Ventum (which is ironic, b/c the tanbark color is intended to imitate a working-boat's sail, so is not traditionally "yachty", but SO pretty). I attended a seminar with Lin and Larry Pardey at Strictly Sail Chicago a couple weekends ago. They talked about cruising on a budget, and said they preferred colored sails to white, b/c they hold up better: They're less susceptible to UV damage . . . I was surprised at this, because I thought color would "soak up the sun", but when I think about it, I guess most sunbrella protection for furling sails is colored. I will definitely mount tanbark when I have the budget, b/c not only do I think it's beautiful, but apparently it makes common sense, too (unless the initial cost is outrageously higher, but I don't think that's the case). --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "n9ca" <n9ca@comcast.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 6:08 PM Subject: roller furling for my new Montgomery 17? Mike, I purchased a new M-17 , s/n 604 which was delivered in 2000. I have the CDI roller furler you mentioned, but I installed it myself. The advantage in having it installed at the factory, is that it will save you the trouble of sending the sail off to its manufacturer to remove the hanks and add the bead required to slide into the CDI. While you are at it, I'd ask for a second reefing point. The furler will have to be lashed to the mast when you are trailering the boat, but it can be easily done with bungees. The bungees I found best for that are the ones that have a ball on each end, and are short enough to reach around the mast in one loop. I ordered a 150% tanbark jib from Bob's oem supplier, Elliott-Pattison, and received very good service. Skip Elliott is the person I dealt with, and he was very helpful and extremely patient with my lack of sailing experience. (Skip Elliott Phone 949-645-6697, e-mail se@epsails.com). I would not hesitate to deal with Elliott Pattison if I ever buy another sail. Best of luck. Clarence Andrews M-17 Carpe Ventum M-6-10 Carpe Ventum Jr.