classic headsail furling

[DoubleEnder]

Though it goes against the grain, I am thinking about fitting headsail furling/reefing to NYACHILWA. I am very often singlehanded, and sail changes with hanked on sails are difficult, slow, and as I am often in confined waters not all that safe.

If I dio it, who makes the most discreet, tidiest furling kit? The boat is 34'6" overall, and the boat is 3/4 rigged. Most power is in the main, which I can reef fast and easily.

Additionally (oh those simple classic looks) I have no stanchions, and no bases to which I could attach the little blocks tolead a furling line aft. I have considered clamping them to the shrouds. low down....But again, any bright ideas?
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/gdallas/Nyachilwa/?action=view&current=1100684_1_thumb.jpg


thank you

Graham

 

[Tranona]

The gear you need will depend on the sail area and forestay size. There are so many different suppliers - at least 8 or 10 in a very competitive market, so you need to do a bit of research. To my mind the neatest looking one on the market is the all stainless one from Rotostay, but the products have reached a stage in their development where they are all pretty effective, but of course dffer in detail.

For your reefing line, it will need to run at or close to deck level as the drum is at that level. Pad eyes and blocks might be one answer or bullseyes if there is limited articulation.

Suggest you speak to a sailmaker who offers the gear for advice.

 

[Lakesailor]

If you want just furling.
Barton do a system. I have the small one on my 17ft boat and it is streets ahead of Plastimo reefers I have used previously. So easy to use. It does require a wire luff on the headsail.
Wykeham Martin do classic stuff in brass

 

[Seanick]

I use a Karver KH2 on a ........

450 sq ft Genoa, which we fly up to 39knts-after which the bowsprit snapped!

Continuous furling line.

Its great!

ps wire luff-soooo passe! Dyneema anti-torque rope these days' Its musch better.

 

[Lakesailor]

Ha ha.
My wire luff was there already at £0.00 cost.
How much your dyneema luff?

 

[Seanick]

Ha ha.
My wire luff was there already at £0.00 cost.
How much your dyneema luff?

Came with the new sail, a bit cheaper than the wire luff-thanks. Its complemented by my Vectran runners.

 

[DoubleEnder]

Vectran

Yes, I have vectran runners, very happy with it.

But back to the thread... I dont want to just furl the sail, I want to be able to reef it by rolling it to various sizes. I guess that most modern roller reefing gear is reliable and effective, I was just wondering what might look best on my boat

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Classic type furlers from Sailspar,neat drum with continous loop reefing line.No snags on the drum.Colchester Essex.UK made.
Cindy

 

[Kukri]

Cindy knows her stuff; I'd take her advice.

(Cindy - I've still got two of your ghosters on board)

 

[DoubleEnder]

thank you

Yes the sailspar thing looks interesting and I will check it out.