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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Roler Furling

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Cbucki1
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/11/2009 : 19:11:59

Hey Folks,

Looking at picking up a 1981 Catalina 25 in the next week or two.

One issue - it does not have roller furling - a must in my opinion.

Any suggestions on:
-Manufactures / models best suited to use for our rigs?
-Do any manufactures provide a deal if you buy the roler furling with a gennoa? I'm in the market for both
-Installation tips? is it a difficult task? Does it require the mast to be taken down?
-Ball park on costs?

Any insights would be grealy appreciated.

Thanks,

Chuck Buck

chuck buck
Summit Oasis
78 Catalina 25
Denver Colorado

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2009 : 20:09:14

There may be a better package deal out there, but Catalina Direct sells a CDI "kit" specifically for the C-25, and also Ullman sails. Check [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=821"]this link[/url], and call them about a possible package deal. They're good folks to work with.

The CDI furler is probably the best bang-for-the-buck for non-racers (racers want double-groove furlers as from $-Harken) and are original equipment on many if not all Catalinas. Ullman sails are excellent (although not the absolute lowest prices). If you can get a decent package from CD, you're in good hands.

Edited by - on

dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2009 : 08:20:33

i adree with dave.the harken is more difficult to install.
you will either need to open one end of your existing forestay or buy a new one because the foil connectors fit over the forestay.

i have a harken 00al i believe and you can't induce much bend in the foil when raising or lowering the mast.
once you get a bend in the foil joints it never goes away.

the CDI seems more flexible and you can intalll it over the existing forestay i believe.

the ullman sails are ther best and really are in line with any other state side maker.

i like gary swenson at ullman's ventura ca. shop.
get guy on catalina sails and service.

i don't endorse THE SAILWARE because the quality isn't what ullan's are and their cost is that much less.

dave holtgrave
soon to be wet
near carlyle lake in southern illinois.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2009 : 09:30:25

National Sail sells a package deal. I'm happy with the 135% I got from them last year. Unfortunately, when I just tried their website, it doesn't show up. I hope that's just a Computer maintenance issue or something. I'll try it again later. www.nationalsail.com

Here's the other Rolly Tasker dealer in the U.S. [url="http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=storeframe.html&cart_id="]The Sailwarehouse [/url] is in California. They have package deals for their sails and furlers.

Edited by - John Russell on 04/12/2009 09:34:53

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2009 : 17:49:29

There's actually a third Rolly Tasker dealer in the U.S. Dave Benjamin at www.islandplanetsails.com, in Oregon. I've bought a C-22 genoa from him and was very pleased. Actually, I've bought from National Sail (135 for the c-25), the Sail Warehouse (main C-22) and from Dave. good experience from all 3.

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/12/2009 18:04:21

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2009 : 17:59:12

National Sail supply's web site is up.
www.nationalsail.com
Their furler package with a 150 genoa is about $1,310. I suggest working a deal for a 135 instead of the 150.
The 150 by itself is $725 and the 135 is $696.

Edit 4/14: The FF4 furler package with deluxe genoa for the tall rig is $1365, and the sail by itself is $865 (the 135 is $809).

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/14/2009 08:21:11

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2009 : 00:32:59

Chuck,
I am presently in the process of converting my existing hank on 150?? jib to a roller furling 135. Earlier there was topic on the question of roller furler jib size on this forum. It had a lot of input and from that discussion and the sailing conditions I anticipate sailing under, I decided to cut down my 150 to a 135 and replace the hank on with the roller furler luff tape.
I am working with Sailrite who I find outstanding both in the materials they sell, their very clear instructions, and their hand holding. They also have a very good price on the CDI furler. They recently reduced the price of all their CDI furlers. I purchased a FF2 for $496.00. How they might stack up for buying a sail new from them as a package I do not know.

I can say that the CDI looks to be the simplest furler on the market. It does not require you to replace the head stay, in fact you can install the CDI without lowering the mast. They offer clear instructions and good support. Sailrite offers a dvd on installing the CDI furler and converting your jib. This is part number 120220 for $15.

I am in the process of doing the conversion and installation now while on the hard. I will post to the forum my results. But if you are interested in the CDI furler, Sailrite has a very good price right now. www.sailrite.com

Edited by - on

MiNO
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2009 : 22:57:31

skrenz,

I also have a 78 Catalina 25 standard rig (28 ft mast) and I am looking for a furler package. I looked at the FF2 you recommended at sailrite. What is the difference between the FF2 and the one with ball bearings? Did you end up getting the FF2 hardware and DVD?

I haven't looked for sails yet, but I will check out the vendors recommended on this forum.
Thanks for your advice,
-Kurt

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 08:12:55

The ball bearings are an option on CDI furlers FF2 and FF4, and, from what I've read in other threads, it is highly recommended. The CDI FF2 should work for a std rig C-25. The tall rig's forestay is longer than 29 ft. and, therefore, requires the FF4 model, according to CDI's charts. The Sail Warehouse sells the FF2, without the ball bearing option, for $445, and the bearing option is $71. The FF4 is $553 and $99, respectively.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 10:48:39

<font color="red"><font size="6">NO</font id="size6"></font id="red">
Do not get the FF2, it is much too small of a diameter drum. ONLY consider the FF4, I had one with both the bearings and without, the bearings make a huge difference. Who ever suggested an FF2 for a Catalina 25 at Sailrite has his head up his butt. Skrenz, send it back. Catalina puts them on 22s and Mcgreggor uses them on their POSs, completely inappropriate for a C-25.

Edited by - on

Cbucki1
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 12:12:09

Great info folks!

Thanks very much!

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 12:21:46

Listen to Frank Get the FF4. I am replacing a FF2 that was given to me years ago. To install it on my 1979 I needed to have a rigger cut the forestay put it together and re-swage a new turnbuckle pin. Back then I did not have other owners to help advice me. This network is a great asset to all of us. The FF2 did work after the insulation, but as frank pointed out the drum is very small. My furling line was like a shoe string

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 14:45:42

Thanks Frank, I stand corrected re: the FF2; just going by their info, not personal experience. Sorry if I mislead anyone.

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2009 : 16:56:59

Like many of you, I too am shopping for a RF and new headsail. I've found the best deal (I think) at National Sail Supply. The package is a 150 genoa and a CDI FF4 furler. The genny is a #6 luff, 5 oz dacron made by Rolly Tasker and the FF4 is the standard model without the ball-bearing (everything's ball bearings these days) upgrade. I plan on going with a 135 genny (which saves $70) and adding the upgraded ball-bearings for $100. Looks like the whole package will run about $1,340 new. Takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Of course, one could buy used, but buying a used sail is kinda like buying used tires... sometimes you have to, but you know you're going to have to buy more used tires really soon.

Edited by - on

MiNO
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2009 : 21:12:21

I found an CDI FF4 from Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies for $500 and the ball bearing upgrade for $85. I think this is the cheapest out there. Does anyone have experience with them?

Is heavier sail cloth better? North Sails Direct has 135% Roller Furling Genoa , made from 6oz 4800 series Dacron and comes with a UV cover, telltales, leech line, and a drawstring sail bag for $715, That comes to $1300 for the total package.

Any opinions out there?
Thanks,
Kurt

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2009 : 21:36:43

Kurt,
I have the North Sails Direct 135 and it is a well made sail with leech lines on both the foot and the leech. The UV cover is another layer of Dacron and is white so you will not even recognize it unless you know what to look for. When they were Cruising Direct they use to sell the FF4 and the sail as a package and the sail is specifically sized to fit the FF4 on a C25. Hard to say how it compares with other makes as I have no experience with others. I have seen Rolly Tasker mainsails up close and I would say the two are close in quality.

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 04/23/2009 13:57:15

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2009 : 05:25:04

I have just received my new CDI furler from North Sails Direct. I didn’t need the head sail (I do but $$$$$, maybe next year) so I only purchased the furler. They had the best price and I received it by UPS in 3 days.

Edited by - on

ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2009 : 10:09:17

Don't remember pricing but I got the Ulman 135 and an F4 through Catalina Direct and couldn't be happier. Lowell has a kit put together like he does on most things. You get furling line, bullseyes, cleat and a new forestay cut to size. I would give him a call before you pull the trigger. I didn't get the ball bearings so I don't know what I'm missing.

Edited by - on

MiNO
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2009 : 20:28:00

I found a good deal for the FF4 furler w/ bearings and a 135% genoa, so I am about to purchase it. I noticed that CD Direct sells a kit along with the furler which includes a new forestay.

The kit comes with the drum line, new forestay and some misc. parts for about $220. Has anyone had experience with this? Do I really need to get a new forestay?

-Kurt

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2009 : 21:31:35

OK, we've got an FF4 but without the ball bearings. It can be tough to furl the sail sometimes, takes some arm strength. I see that the ball bearing kit can be gotten for $166 from CDI. Is it worth it?? Will the difference be obvious??

**Update - riggingonly.com has the ball bearing kit for $105!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/07/2009 21:38:42

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2009 : 07:01:22

Randy, over a number of years I've read reports from several people who added the bearings and said it was night-and-day. I've long wondered why CDI sells furlers, especially the FF4 and larger, without them. My first awareness of the CDI was from someone who didn't have or know about the bearing option and thought his furler was junk. That colored my opinion of them to this day.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2009 : 07:17:43

A furler hides the forestay, most standing rigging needs to be replaced every 10-20 years just as a matter of safety. Out of sight, out of mind is bad for standing rigging, getting a new forestay when a furler is installed is appropriate if you can afford it.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2009 : 08:11:31

Thanks Dave, based on your and Frank's assessments I have ordered the ball bearing kit. The riggingonly.com website had not been updated with the new price of $116 but that is still a good deal for something that will make sailing better. I'll take some photos of the upgrade and post them when it is done.

Edited by - on

MiNO
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2009 : 09:37:42

Frank,

Thanks. I'm not sure if the forestay has ever been replaced. Is there a way to visually check the condition of it?

Is there a way to replace the forestay without taking the mast down? I do have access to a rigging ladder.

-Kurt

Edited by - on

MiNO
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2009 : 16:03:03

I'm about to order a CDI FF4 furler with a 135 headsail, and I was wondering if I will have to get a new forestay to install it. The one I have looks like it is in good shape. Not sure if there is something special about the forestay that CD Direct sells with their furling kits. I'm not ordering my furler from them, but I was looking at the kit that they sell along with it.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:31:10

I guess that might depend on the age of the forestay. I'd probably replace it since you won't be able to readily see/inspect it once the furler is in place. My local rigger told me that the standard is to replace the standing rigging at least every 10 years in fresh water. He mentioned a lesser time for salt water but, since I'm on Lake Erie, I never committed that number to memory.

Edited by - on

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