Furling jib

[ninnes]

Has anyone experience of the jib furling kits from Compass marine that clip over an existing forestay? If I was to convert a conventional hanked on jib to a furling one would I be able to use the original jib or genoa on the furler or do you need specific sails - it would be for a 23 footer that is not racing. Thanks

 

[ccscott49]

No experience of the compass furling kit, but you would need to have a special luff tape fitted to your sail for all the others I do know.

 

[DepSol]

The HGE system from NV Equipment is by far th best and has its own bag supplied for storage with it. If you want more info PM me.

Dom

My boats going back in the water on Thursday ;-)

 

[vyv_cox]

Don't know the Compass one but I have fitted a Plastimo to an existing forestay. No problems with the kit. Hanked on sails are fuller than roller furling ones, so they really need to be recut. Using it as it is defeats the object, as it will not retain its shape when reefed. However, this is not a very expensive modification and it won't cost you a lot. You could also investigate having a foam luff added, although I'm not certain that this is an add-on item. Worth asking a good sailmaker.

You will need a luff bolt rope to fit the extrusion (I assume, not knowing the Compass system) Again, this is not expensive and would be done as a package with the flattening re-cut.

 

[graham]

I ones had a n 18foot boat with a furler. THE original sail had the piston hanks removed and plastic bullet shaped slides shackled in there place with nylon shackles.

It didnt roll up as well as a proper job but served the purpose.

Personally I would try to avoid spending too much on getting your old genoa converted unless it is quite new.If you can get hold of the luff groove slides I mentioned as a stop gap measure and put the money saved away towards a new purpose made roller genoa.

I have sailed on a shoestring for 30 odd years and have owned and sailed all kinds of boats ,its only after you have had decent sails that you appreciate how inefficient the old ones were.

 

[Gordonmc]

Previous posts are worthy, but if an indication of the cost of having a luff tape with correct size rope helps, I had mine done for approx £60. The boat was a Hurley 22.
Padded luff and UV protective strip are options which are not worth the chase for a sail more than a couple of years old.
Make sure you know the size of the groove before you have the sails ordered... luff rope comes in different diameters.

 

[ninnes]

Thanks for you advice everyone!
Out.