Fitting a Facnor FD furler

[tchierici]

I have finally had enough of getting wet and dancing on deck trying to change head sail. So I’d like to fit a furler without changing the existing sails and I think the solution is to get a Facnor FD furler. Being low profile means I can keep the existing sail length at the foot. The only problem I have is the anchor is on the way. I attached a picture of the existing forestay/anchor set up


and a picture of the new Facnor system.


Any ideas how I can modify the existing forestay set up so that I have room low enough to fit the Facnor furler?

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Tomar,
Our Facnor came with a pair of drilled extending plates to lift the furler above the anchor. Works well but you need sufficient forestay length to allow the sail to hoist all the way.
Vyv

 

[Tranona]

I have finally had enough of getting wet and dancing on deck trying to change head sail. So I’d like to fit a furler without changing the existing sails and I think the solution is to get a Facnor FD furler. Being low profile means I can keep the existing sail length at the foot. The only problem I have is the anchor is on the way. I attached a picture of the existing forestay/anchor set up
View attachment 197078

and a picture of the new Facnor system.
View attachment 197079

Any ideas how I can modify the existing forestay set up so that I have room low enough to fit the Facnor furler?

While the drum type does allow for a longer luff length, you will still need to modify your sails to suit the luff groove. Hank on sails are not cut in the same way as those for furlers and if maintaining performance is one of your aims I fear you might be disappointed with a converted hank on sail. Better to discuss with your sailmaker what sort of furling sail would suit your style of sailing.

That aside the forestay arrangements do not lend themselves to a flat deck furler unless you do away with the anchor windlass. Even then you will probably need some form of strop or a rigging screw to bridge the gap between the below deck attachment point and the drum of whatever furler you choose.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Hi Tomar,
Our Facnor came with a pair of drilled extending plates to lift the furler above the anchor. Works well but you need sufficient forestay length to allow the sail to hoist all the way.
Vyv

That’s one plan. How about seeing if that, or another furling system, can be fitted in that well the forestay disappears into. Just like a Dragonfly. Lovely clean look above deck, maximum forestay and sail luff length. Our furling line is led through a tube all the way back to a cockpit locker, you’d never know we had furling gear.

 

[doug748]

As suggested, I think you may have to concede that your existing sails are not ideal and price a purpose made genoa into the plan. Having the drum higher is not the most efficient idea but, for cruising, it can mean less chafe on guard wires and better forward vision. If you want to stick to your existing sails for racing I think Harken do a removable drum.

The other option would be to extend the anchor stowage on a short bowsprit, which may be useful in itself. No doubt the marina would be around with the tape measure though.

.

 

[tchierici]

While the drum type does allow for a longer luff length, you will still need to modify your sails to suit the luff groove. Hank on sails are not cut in the same way as those for furlers and if maintaining performance is one of your aims I fear you might be disappointed with a converted hank on sail. Better to discuss with your sailmaker what sort of furling sail would suit your style of sailing.

That aside the forestay arrangements do not lend themselves to a flat deck furler unless you do away with the anchor windlass. Even then you will probably need some form of strop or a rigging screw to bridge the gap between the below deck attachment point and the drum of whatever furler you choose.

All the head sails i have are fitted with a luff system so the idea is to reuse them on the new furler with no modifications. What about extending the chain plate as Vyv suggested? It just needs to be about 15cm longer to clear the drum from the anchor chain by sitting just above it.

 

[tchierici]

Hi Tomar,
Our Facnor came with a pair of drilled extending plates to lift the furler above the anchor. Works well but you need sufficient forestay length to allow the sail to hoist all the way.
Vyv

Hi Vyv, would it not put additional stress on the lower part of the forestay by having an extended plate? The existing chain plate is bolted in the anchor locker as shown in the picture. I should have enough length of forestay to get the sail all the way up .

 

[tchierici]

Picture of the clearance I have between the sail and the anchor chain

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Here’s a boat with our arrangement, furler in the anchor locker. And one of us, to show how clean it all looks. It’s likely you’ve got room, what to do with the furler line requires thought.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Vyv, would it not put additional stress on the lower part of the forestay by having an extended plate? The existing chain plate is bolted in the anchor locker as shown in the picture. I should have enough length of forestay to get the sail all the way up .

This is how ours looks, a far older version of course. I think they do various lengths of plate

 

[Tranona]

All the head sails i have are fitted with a luff system so the idea is to reuse them on the new furler with no modifications. What about extending the chain plate as Vyv suggested? It just needs to be about 15cm longer to clear the drum from the anchor chain by sitting just above it.

Sails for fixed stays, whether hanked on or on a foil. Little point in having a furler unless you are going to use a sail that reefs and covers a wider range of windspeeds and conditions than a range of single sails. Suggest you talk to your sailmakers about the best to maybe convert for general use - usually a sort of No2 size genoa and complement with a smaller sail for heavy weather and an offwind sail. Then talk to a rigger about the best way of filling the gap between the stay attachment point and the furler - difficult to see in your photos as it seems below the deck.