On 07/30/2018 09:20 AM, Dave Scobie wrote:
Ah ... Once furler on you can't take it off without dropping the rig and then if you damage the extrusion $$ to replace. The Snapfurl exclusion cannot be taken apart once put together ... it will just fit over the 3/16 wire turnbuckle stud but you cannot roll it up so you have a long tube of to contend with.
That's one of the reasons I chose the CDI - it uses a one-piece flat extrusion rather than a two-piece snap-together round one. You still have to treat it well when stored, on (mast down) or off (removed from stay) the boat, but it is OK if it flexes some temporarily when raising, lowering, installing or un-installing. Also given that it is shipped in a big roll and you flatten it before install, I imagine that it could be stored long term off the boat in same size roll and re-flattened same way. BUT whenever possible store it flat/straight. Also, it can be removed & installed without dropping the mast - in fact it normally is easier to install & remove with mast up - just use jib halyard as temporary forestay.
IMO racing still the plan use hank-on sails.
Agree, no argument there. And have a good foredeck crew to go change them for you, it is tricky changing a headsail while singlehanding (even when not racing... ;-). I really love the clean aesthetic and the performance of hank-on sails. It's mostly what I've sailed with on others' boats and club boats. However I mostly single-hand, or have "passengers" who are not "crew" (if you know what I mean), and I don't race, and if I did it would be totally for fun without concern of being first or last. So to be able to cruise single-handed more safely and in a variety of places and diverse and changeable wind conditions (it's a trailer sailer after all), I am opting to try a reefing furler. The hank-on sails I have are so tired that I may get better performance with the new sail even on a furling setup. Also one new sail plus reefing furler is about 1/3 less money than three new hank-on sails (furler costs about same as small or medium hank-on jib). cheers, John -- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com