Cdi roller furling manual install#
Cdi roller furling manual upgrade#
Cdi roller furling manual full#

We have focused our search on manufacturers with a reputation of building quality furling systems and compared these 5 products: Product The latest generation of systems are more durable, lighter, easier to inspect and maintain, and furl more smoothly-even under load. Elliptical is more aerodynamic when the sail is fully unfurled.įurlers for jibs and genoas have been installed on new boats since the late eighties, giving manufacturers over 30 years of experience with what works and what doesn’t. These systems also tend to have a furling drum that is easily removable to allow for sail changes and genoas with a longer luff.įoil shape - The shape of the foil extrusion that fits over the forestay comes in two shapes: round or elliptical. There are two primary use cases for this: 1) changing the headsail in a race without losing speed, and 2) downwind sailing with two headsails. Sail grooves - Many systems come with twin luff grooves in the foil. There are also a few features that may matter more to racers or performance-cruisers than the everyday sailor: Some systems accomplish this by providing a custom toggle and/or turnbuckle.

Sag sometimes can be adjusted with the backstay, but a good furling system should make it easy to adjust the turnbuckle connected to the lower toggle. Toggles & Turnbuckle - Your forestay should have toggles at the chainplate and top of the mast-which allow for movement forward and aft as it sags, and side to side as there is load on the sail-and should have a turnbuckle to adjust the tension for light or heavy air. It’s a tradeoff, but being able to easily furl when you need to is worth the extra rope and space if you can spare it. Profurl is the lone-standout that has their bearings sealed and greased, making it virtually impossible to self-service.ĭrum diameter - Larger diameters make it easier to furl, but also take more space and furling line. Most systems have the bearings slightly exposed so they can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Torlon or stainless steel are preferred due to their strength and longevity. The material of the bearings and the design of the tracks are big factors. Most old furling systems are replaced because they become too difficult to furl or even seize up.

Cdi roller furling manual full#

Harken pioneered (and apparently patented) the fully swiveling tack, but Furlex and Facnor both allow the tack to swivel up to one full revolution before it begins furling.īearings - Wear and corrosion eventually take their toll on all moving parts, especially when they are wet and under load. This flattens the sail, improving reefing and allowing the sail to to lay better when furled. Tack-swivel - If the tack can swivel independently of the furler, then furling will start from the middle of the sail. You can get a jib furling system without a head-swivel for a bargain, but they’re not suitable for all-weather sailing. Head-swivel - This allows the the foil of the furler to swivel independently of the head of the furler and halyard. We looked for systems with these features: Paired with Harken’s great reputation and popularity in a wide range of products, the availability of spares, and reports of great after-market support and service make the MKIV our runner up choice. Harken’s furling system is the most popular on the market. Harken lives up to it’s reputation with this popular furling system, making it our runner up. It’s the only furler in our comparison to use stainless steel bearings, as well as the only system on the market that can be retrofitted into an electric furler (if you’re into that kind of thing). For the casual racer, the Furlex features a detachable drum to convert into racing foil.

Cdi roller furling manual upgrade#

Combined with the included forestay, which is a recommended upgrade for any furling system unless your boat has recently been re-rigged, and the Furlex is the best value of any furling system available.įor those looking to their jib as an all-weather sail, the Furlex includes the “free turn” swivel-helping flatten the sail when reefing by allowing the foil to get one free turn before the tack starts furling.

Cdi roller furling manual install#

It the easiest system to install yourself-complete with step-by-step video. The latest generation of this well-made furling system strike a balance between total cost, performance, and versatility. Quality construction, smooth operation, ease of installation, and the included forestay make this our top pick over several great systems.