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