Furling gennaker feedback

[andylipsberg]

Hi all,

After some consideration, reading and research I dropped the idea of some code zero sails and as I'm missing most when going downwind. So I'm shopping now for furling gennaker for Dufour 325 GL.
Most sailmakers offer around 60 m2 sail - Northsails, Elvstrom, Quantum and even some local lofts appear to be pricy. Ranging 4000-5000 EUR depending on the furler.

Rolly Tasker so far seems the best getting same material, same oz and and even storm sail within same budget.

Any personal experience with this sailmaker and is gennaker actually furling well? ( I know that regular gennaker would be much better choice).
Any other sailmakers I should ask for the quote?

Thanks.

 

[LadyInBed]

Looking at the shape and weight of mine , I would have thought that furling would be quite difficult.
I've attached a lightweight pendant to the center of the foot so when I drop it, I pull the pendant inboard , lower the head and gather as I lower, keeping the foot taught.

 

[Tranona]

Hi all,

After some consideration, reading and research I dropped the idea of some code zero sails and as I'm missing most when going downwind. So I'm shopping now for furling gennaker for Dufour 325 GL.
Most sailmakers offer around 60 m2 sail - Northsails, Elvstrom, Quantum and even some local lofts appear to be pricy. Ranging 4000-5000 EUR depending on the furler.

Rolly Tasker so far seems the best getting same material, same oz and and even storm sail within same budget.

Any personal experience with this sailmaker and is gennaker actually furling well? ( I know that regular gennaker would be much better choice).
Any other sailmakers I should ask for the quote?

Thanks.

Assume you are in the UK. 3 years ago Kemps made me a similar size one (65aqm) for a similar size boat (Bavaria 33, 2015) for around £3500 using a Selden furler and all the hardware to take the furling lines back to the cockpit with a double fiddle jammer. The sail itself is relatively "cheap" and there is really nothing much to choose between the different sailmakers. The success in using this kind of sail particularly short or single handed is in the hardware which makes up the majority of the cost. Your estimate of 4-5000 euros is about right and the difference will be in the hardware and not the sail.

With a rig like yours, high aspect fractional an offwind sail is a really good addition, particularly if you do a lot of sailing in light airs (under 10-12 knots) .

 

[Kerenza]

I have a furling crusing code 0 from RT, built in overseas loft. Lovely people to deal with.
15m luff, furls beautifully, quality excellent.
K

 

[andylipsberg]

I have a furling crusing code 0 from RT, built in overseas loft. Lovely people to deal with.
15m luff, furls beautifully, quality excellent.
K

customer support so far has been excellent. other representative lofts mostly don't bother much, probably big brand sales are doing well.

 

[Tranona]

customer support so far has been excellent. other representative lofts mostly don't bother much, probably big brand sales are doing well.

Many UK sailmakers are struggling at the moment with capacity limitations, and insecure supplies, particularly of cloth. I have bought a number of sails in the last 3 years and in every case except one UK lofts have matched the prices of overseas lofts. The exception (not surprisingly) was a battened mainsail which has a high labour content, but even then the difference was small.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Do you need it on a furler? You can get a cruising chute that size of around a grand!

 

[Kerenza]

To the OP.
A. It's your decision to have a furler.
B. Don't underestimate the cost of the control lines and fittings. Without good kit it will disappoint.
C. Our code 0 with sewn in luff and A3 with loose luff line have transformed our cruising. The last 2 seasons have seen a return of enthusiasm to get the kites up as much as possible.

K

 

[Tranona]

Do you need it on a furler? You can get a cruising chute that size of around a grand!

The need for a furler is a question only the individual can answer. Makes no difference to the impact the sail has on the boat, so if you feel confident you can set and dowse the sail without then the answer is no. If, however, like me you are not confident but would like the sailing advantages and pleasure of using one you may think that the £2500 spent on the best handling gear is money well spent. I only had mine for less than 2 seasons but it was a pleasure to have it up when I could. Newtown River to Hurst Castle with the wind just aft of the beam, 7 knots in 10 knots of wind with the autopilot doing the boring work while I soaked up the atmosphere and a beer. Only furled it as it might have been a bit of a handful going through the overfalls at Hurst.

 

[ashtead]

I was speaking to helpful Harken at this years SIBS and was told any sailmaker will quote for a cruising chute with any of the 4 main furler makes - whether. Karver furlers are more I don’t yet know but my impression was harken,selden and profurl might be around same number ? I was thinking a furler might be say 1400 to add to cost of a sail say65grm etc.

 

[Tranona]

Just found the invoice for the sail Kemps made for me in early 2018. 65sqm with Selden GX 10 furler, stanchion blocks and double fiddle block (in my view essential) and it came to just over £3k of which the sail was £1200. Further £200 to partially attach the luff to the torque rope to ease the initial furl.

 

[Kerenza]

Facnor fx 2500 plus top down adapter was approx £2k
Spent £300 on lines and guides.
Of course you already have an attachment point or prodder to keep some space between forestay and furled kite, particularly at the top.
Irrelevant, but my code 0 was another £2k, but I have an affinity to dimension polynant fabric.
Needed second torsion line for A3 approx £300
K

 

[andylipsberg]

Do you need it on a furler? You can get a cruising chute that size of around a grand!

yes, I'm having either unexperienced crew or we go shorthanded or alone.