Mike, I have the CDI and it does complicate raising and lowering the mast a bit . . . It adds weight, and makes it harder to connect the forestay to the stemhead . . . And it's a little troublesome to stow the assembly along the mast . . . It definitely adds time and effort to launch and retrieval . . . This summer, I'll go with an adjusable backstay to ease the process . . . But I'm a lazy sailor and I love the furler's convenience underway . . . Especially the roller REEFING, which allows me to reduce sail without leaving the cockpit. I'm sure Bob would install a 150 on request, and it sounds like you'd need it . . . To those of you who have CDI's and regularly trialer and launch your boats, I'd love to read any tips on how to ease the process. --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: <Redrocklvr2@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 2:02 PM Subject: roller furling for my new Montgomery 17? Hi, My name's Mike Smith and I ordered a new Montgomery 17 two weeks ago. She should be ready for launch by mid-March. I last sailed 15 years ago when I was living on Long Island. I owned a Thistle then which is a 17 foot racer/day sailer and crewed on larger boats. Now I live in Las Vegas and bought the Montgomery 17 for sailing Lake Mead locally and points beyond (Southern California, Sea of Cortez). Could anyone help me make a decision on whether or not to equip the boat with a roller furling jib installed by Montgomery Boats? I've never trailer sailed and wonder if the roller furling set up will complicate launch, retrieval and storage of the boat. The jib being offered with the CDI-FF2 system is 109% which is the same as the working jib. I'm given to understand that the Montgomery 17 is gernerally sailed with a genoa head sail in the light air conditions prevalent in the southwest. I haven't talked to Bob Eeg yet about whether it would be possible to order a 150% set up with reefing capability. I'd enjoy the convenience of roller furling afloat but wonder if a working jib and genoa might be the way to go out of the gate. I'd appreciate some thoughts on this matter. Thanks, Mike