colston
Active Member
Has anyone installed headsail furling? who can point in the direction of instructions to make a decision on a suitable system like perhaps the Plastimo 406s for my Club 19 yacht. <span style="color:black"> </span>
Headsail furling
- Thread starter colston
- Start date
Nigel_Ward
Well-Known Member
You can download the instructions from the Platimo.com website ( http://www.plastimo.com/catalogue/index.php?LangID=1&catid=6 ).
I have had 3 boats fitted with this sytem and it worked OK.
Another sytem for small boats which I have just fitted to my boat is the Profurl C260 (called T26 on Profurl website). You would probably need a new forestay for this system as it passes through the middle of the aluminium extrusions which are quite small in internal size. ( http://www.profurl.com/uk/produits/t26.htm )
I have a PDF copy of the instructions for the C260 which I can copy to you if you pm me with your e.mail address.
I have had 3 boats fitted with this sytem and it worked OK.
Another sytem for small boats which I have just fitted to my boat is the Profurl C260 (called T26 on Profurl website). You would probably need a new forestay for this system as it passes through the middle of the aluminium extrusions which are quite small in internal size. ( http://www.profurl.com/uk/produits/t26.htm )
I have a PDF copy of the instructions for the C260 which I can copy to you if you pm me with your e.mail address.
colston
Active Member
Thanks Nigel
I think the Plastimo looks simple to install in situ although the Profurl looks like a good option, has it got twin luff grooves?
I will PM my email address as suggested for the details
I think the Plastimo looks simple to install in situ although the Profurl looks like a good option, has it got twin luff grooves?
I will PM my email address as suggested for the details
graham
Well-Known Member
I helped someone fit a Plastimo furler to a Jaguar 22. Straight forward to fit .We fitted it with the mast up.Probably best to fit a new forestay if you dont know how old it is as it will be out of sight after.
William_H
Well-Known Member
And just to be contrary..... Don't do it. Your boat will not sail to windward very well with a half rolled jib. Stick with individual jibs if you want performance. olewill
graham
Well-Known Member
Fully agree if you allways have a reliable crew to change the headsails or helm while you do but sailing singlehanded or with small kids /inexperienced crew the convenience far outweighs the slight disadvantage.
Its not just a fashion trend that 90%of cruising yachts in uk have them.Quite a few cruiser racers use them also.(Im only guessing at 90% from my own observations but it wont be too far from accurate)
I wonder if the weather is more changeable here in UK.? It certainly is in the Bristol Channel where I and the person asking the question do our sailing.Its not unusual to set off with double reefed main and tiny headsdail then later in the day be under full sail again ,or visa versa.
PS Colston Have sent you a private message click on the flashing red and white flag to get it.
Its not just a fashion trend that 90%of cruising yachts in uk have them.Quite a few cruiser racers use them also.(Im only guessing at 90% from my own observations but it wont be too far from accurate)
I wonder if the weather is more changeable here in UK.? It certainly is in the Bristol Channel where I and the person asking the question do our sailing.Its not unusual to set off with double reefed main and tiny headsdail then later in the day be under full sail again ,or visa versa.
PS Colston Have sent you a private message click on the flashing red and white flag to get it.
colston
Active Member
I understand William's point but mainly short handed sailing and young children to introduce to sailing means I am happy to compromise on performance and allow me to have a bit of fun round the cans without the hassle
Dipper
Well-Known Member
It looks like you are going to fit a furling system that you can use reefed. Some systems for small boats are only designed for sailing with the sail fully unfurled and the furling gear is purely to roll the sail away for storage on the forestay. These will not have a foil.
You may find this web page helpful.
Fitting furling gear yourself is pretty simple, even on boats that are much bigger than yours. Roller furling systems do tend to put extra forces on forestays so as has already been mentioned, make sure yours is in good condition. Depending on whether your rigging is light for your boat or oversized, you may need to increase the diameter of the forestay to the next size up. It is also usually recommended to fit toggles top and bottom to help absorb shock loads but I'm not sure if this applies to smaller boats.
You may find this web page helpful.
Fitting furling gear yourself is pretty simple, even on boats that are much bigger than yours. Roller furling systems do tend to put extra forces on forestays so as has already been mentioned, make sure yours is in good condition. Depending on whether your rigging is light for your boat or oversized, you may need to increase the diameter of the forestay to the next size up. It is also usually recommended to fit toggles top and bottom to help absorb shock loads but I'm not sure if this applies to smaller boats.
chewi
Well-Known Member
I fitted Plastimo 406s on my last boat.
You can assemble it around the current forestay, and if budget is an issue you can fit hank interface slugs to it so you can furl it, though reefing it would have an awful set and might even cut the sail.. the tack will be higher so unless you mod the sail ( pointless really) your car may not go far enough aft to get foot tension.
Better to get a new genoa made to fit and with foam luff so that the excess diameter rolled at the seams is matched along the luff. That then avoids excess belly.
If buying a new genoa you can get deals on the pair. It doesn't take much of a mod on a used genoa to realise its not worth it, eg UV strip, luff tape, foot adjustment...
However back to the mechanics...the tack end of the plastimo is a pain in the neck.
To refit the forestay to the deck you have to align a cheek plate port with the bottlescrew, than the foredeck fitting, back out thro' the bottlescrew and then the starboard cheekplate. Not easy afloat with a whipping mast, but perhaps not an issue if you leave the mast up years on end. I had to clamp it all in alignment with a molewrench first, then fit it, but even then you can't access the bottlescrew to adjust it.
It also had a tendency to tangle. I wouldn't choose 406 again.
I acquired a rotostay with my current boat and I much prefer it, though I didn't install it.
Hope that helps.
You can assemble it around the current forestay, and if budget is an issue you can fit hank interface slugs to it so you can furl it, though reefing it would have an awful set and might even cut the sail.. the tack will be higher so unless you mod the sail ( pointless really) your car may not go far enough aft to get foot tension.
Better to get a new genoa made to fit and with foam luff so that the excess diameter rolled at the seams is matched along the luff. That then avoids excess belly.
If buying a new genoa you can get deals on the pair. It doesn't take much of a mod on a used genoa to realise its not worth it, eg UV strip, luff tape, foot adjustment...
However back to the mechanics...the tack end of the plastimo is a pain in the neck.
To refit the forestay to the deck you have to align a cheek plate port with the bottlescrew, than the foredeck fitting, back out thro' the bottlescrew and then the starboard cheekplate. Not easy afloat with a whipping mast, but perhaps not an issue if you leave the mast up years on end. I had to clamp it all in alignment with a molewrench first, then fit it, but even then you can't access the bottlescrew to adjust it.
It also had a tendency to tangle. I wouldn't choose 406 again.
I acquired a rotostay with my current boat and I much prefer it, though I didn't install it.
Hope that helps.