Furling cruising chute conversion

[[3889]]

I have an existing chute in a sock which I'd like to convert to an endless furling system. Permanent bowsprit is in place and I seek advice on what I need for this.
Firstly, is there any special cut required for a chute to furl or will an existing sail be fine?
Hardware-wise I'm thinking of top swivel and bottom ratchet swivel with the endless line led back to the cockpit via stanchion blocks. Plus torsion line if not supplied with swivels.
Anything I've missed and any specific recommendations for a 12m boat with 100m^2 sail?

 

[Tranona]

I had a Furlex, which like most of its competitors comes as a "kit" of top and bottom plus torque rope which needs to be made to size. Endless furling line and I used the Furlex stanchion blocks that allow you to remove the line plus a double jamming block at the cockpit end. It all worked very well and I could use it single handed. 65sqm on a 10m boat.

As to using your existing chute I think it will depend on the cut. I had mine made at the same time, but still needed a recut to get it to furl reliably. Suggest you buy the package from a sailmaker and have them do what is necessary to make it work with your sail. Kemps made mine and supplied all the bits. Also worth looking at the Profurl as I have heard good reports about easy furling.

 

[ashtead]

I recently had a chute made by A well known Lymington sailmaker with a Harken but he was happy to fit any of my choice and we did discuss options of furler but delivered complete . I don’t know if you would want /absolutely need any fixed blocks as the line is demountable so lives generally in bow saillocker or down below in its bag but personal choice You don’t say who made your chute but maybe they might be a good source of info or indeed any sailmaker. Our furler gear attaches to the mini bow spirit rigged though the spare anchor roller with just a large shackle -you are probably best to advised to rig the furler before leaving port though so perhaps more preparation than just deciding to haul up the spisqueezer type sock.

 

[John_Silver]

A chap from Incidence gave me a very succinct summing up, regarding cruising chute cut: “if you want it to furl, it has to be flat and small” (Compared to one which he could design for a snuffer. Which would have ‘shoulder’ built in)
Sounds as if the cut is likely to be significantly different, snuffer v furler.

 

[[3889]]

Thank you for the replies. I can't remember the sailmaker offhand but it's Italian so not really viable to deal with from the UK. I see the point about stanchion blocks, maybe not necessary. I noticed the Lymington sail maker, from whom I've just had a yet-untried headsail delivered, deals in furling kit so I'll speak with him.

 

[Tranona]

The stanchion blocks and double jammer are really worth having. Makes furling so much easier and you just unclip the lines when you put the sail and furler away.