Convert a banked on Genoa to roller reefer

[Moose764]

Hi all

just bought a 7M hunter 701 which I’m getting ready to moor on Windermere next season. I’m new to sailing but as I’ve done lots of research I thing a roller reefer would best suit us as beginners. I was given several sails including a 150% Genoa. My question is, what would be involved to use the 150 as a roller reefer. Would also appreciate advice on which reefing system would be best and perhaps which company to get the sail altered.

thanks

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Small boat on a lake. Just use the hanks, It's a perfectly good system and changing sails is a doddle.

 

[vyv_cox]

On a bigger boat I had a hanked on No.3 jib altered for a roller reefing bolt rope. As it turned out, dropping the 150% genoa on the water to replace it with the No.3 was close to impossible, so I had it changed back again and fitted an inner removable forestay instead. The cost was not very much and any sailmaker will do it for you.

You will need a roller reefing kit, assuming it does not have one now. I assume one of these Plastimo Jib Reefing 406S (Chainplate) | Force 4 Chandlery would suit.

 

[NPMR]

I had the foresail on a Sabre 27 re cut to change from hanked on to roller reefing. Changed from hanks to luff rope etc.

Cheap and effective and in practice we didn't notice the loss of the small sail area we had to sacrifice to achieve this.

 

[Poignard]

Kiwi slides is a simple way of converting a hank-on to roller reefing

 

[crewman]

Alternatively try Goacher sails they are based in the area. They will be able to advise and do any sail mods

 

[scottie]

Speaking to Goacher sails and getting his opinion on the seven sails makes a lot of sense as does using a smaller jib till you get used to the boat even by letting you see where you are going
you don’t say what the seven sails are but unless you are racing two jibs should suffice on Windermere and as said changing on the water is not an easy option but hanks do keep some control over what is a large sail

 

[vyv_cox]

Kiwi slides is a simple way of converting a hank-on to roller reefing

Do they work well? I could not find any way to do it when I was looking for an alternative. Was a long time ago though.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Do they work well? I could not find any way to do it when I was looking for an alternative. Was a long time ago though.

I couldnt find any suitable slugs either. Kiwi were far too big for my 5mm Profurl foil and anything small enough didnt look strong enough.

 

[Moose764]

Thanks all for your responses appreciate your knowledge.