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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Furler questions

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kaferhaus
1st Mate

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40 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2008 : 13:25:14

what's the difference between a "bolt rope" type furler and one which uses "luff tape"? Or are they the same thing being said two different ways?

The local rigging shop is telling me that the CDI unit doesn't allow you to change the shape of the sail while unfurled.... in other words you cannot change the halyard tension easily... he says the same applies to most all the "inexpensive" furlers out there. Of course he only sells the Harken line which is 4-5 times the cost of the CDI and more than double the price of many others.

Also does anyone know the length of the forestay on a Cat 25 from fitting to fitting? Just the "wire" portion from the head to bottom. One manufacturer pre cuts the foils for you IF you know that length. I have no way to get to the top of the mast and cannot see the top end of the fitting from the deck to be able to get a measurement by sending a traveler up the forestay.

Again thanks for all the information.

Steven Reeves
Dauphin Island, Alabama

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2008 : 13:49:00

Foil and bolt rope are different sail attachments. A bolt rope is like fitting the foot of your mainsail into the boom, while the foil is a stiff, reinforced tape with a bead on the leading edge that feeds into a groove. Without that reinforcement, I think flexing would cause early fabric failure. There are some furlers, primarily for trailer sailors, that are solely for storing the sail. They are furled or unfurled completely with no intermediate positions, and that may be what he is referring to. Halyard tension is not a recommended adjustment for headsail shape, at least not on my Harkin.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2008 : 14:46:52

The CDI is a fine furler and reefs well. I use a 4:1 purchase of Harken micro blocks on the tack of my headsail with my CDI. I have tried it on the halyard tail and on the tack and find tensioning the luff of the sail works best. It allows me to set "halyard tension" over about a 6" range. I do this according to wind condition while I am still at the dock, it would be very awkward to do it under sail. I had a Harken on my Merit 25 and loved it, I adjusted the halyard tension from the cockpit on the Harken. The CDI does a great job for me on a Catalina 25.
The bolt rope type might refer to the old method used to make cheap furlers where there is a bolt rope or wire luff and no extrusion. Many daysailers and catamarans still use this type of furler. They cannot be reefed.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2008 : 06:16:45

I concur with Frank on the tensioning method of the CDI.

For clarity, the tack is tensioned to the rotating drum, so if you require to adjust the tension you have to be at the furler, no way to run the line aft.
And you can really only adjust the tension with the sail fully deployed as when the sail is slightly furled, pulling down on the tack won't do much accept stretch the bottom of the sail.

Of course, you could also tension the halyard, again at the furler drum, but the same restrictions apply, tensioning via the halyard with the sail slightly wrapped would just put unnessasary strain on the head of the sail.

Another thing to consider with the CDI furler (which we love) is that you can set the height of the foot of the sail.

When selectiing the size of the CDI furler, consider the sail size. Our 110 jib furler line appears to pretty well stuff the furler drum, we're looking into getting a 135% jib, and wondering if the furler drum can handle the few extra feet of line.

Paul

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2008 : 06:34:56

Regarding filling the drum of the CDI furler:

The PO had the furling jib on my boat when I bought it and I kept it on till last summer. Then I switched to the 150 Genoa but since the drum was pretty full with the furling line for the jib, I was wondering how the mfr expected one to put more line on the drum for use with a 150 Genoa ? I checked the little manual that comes with the CDI furler - The PO had left that and addl paperwork (believe CDI also has that documentation available on their website). Turns out that CDI recommended use of a thinner line than what was being used presently on my boat. So, I bought a new line for the 150 Genoa to the smaller diameter recommended by CDI. No problems !

I recently bought a new main and a new 150 Genoa. I swapped off the old 150 for the new one and since they were basically the same size and i already had the thinner longer line on for a 150 Genoa, the furling line was right-sized.

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brrit
1st Mate

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80 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2008 : 06:51:43

I second the CDI allowing enough line for the 150 genny. I just replaced the line and had the same thought, "Is all of this really going to fit on this drum?" But there weren't any problems.

I'd have to double check the size of the line.

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jesse camp
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2008 : 14:17:02

Hello Paulie,
I guess I can put in my two cents. I am not sure which Furler you are considering. For the Catalina 25 the suggested CDI is the FF4. There is no reason you could not hang a Genoa 150, depending on your line diameter, I think mine is 1/4 inch diameter, but the forces are not that great, compared to a jib sheet or mainsheet. Keep in mind too, that the CDI is much more forgiving when you trailer!!!!
By the way, I ended up buying new sails. The C34-36 will have to wait another year or two. I ended up getting a 150 and main from FX sails.
I went with the full battens, I should get by end of April.

I hope all is well.
Jesse Camp

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.