How to fit your own Roller reefing - my first "how to" film

[dylanwinter]

At one time I thought I had managed to SWAP set of roller reefing fOc from plastimo in return for making a film about how to fit it

it all went a bit quiet

so I bought the RR myself and then I made the film anyway

it is more a vlog than a formal instruction video

Dylan

 

[Searush]

You will bless that kit 20 times a season, believe me. I am still glad I fitted mine 20 years ago. It probably works out at a few pence for every time I use it, there are some occasions when I would gladly have paid 100 quid just to avoid one trip to the foredeck!

I am now looking for a cheap dinghy furling system for the old GP14.

 

[dylanwinter]

I agree

I would hate to go to sea without roller reefing

it is great for me for when sneaking up on the birds with the tide

all I need to do now is to work out the reefing on the main

Dylan

 

[lustyd]

Suddenly I'm very glad I bought the Selden one! It was much, much easier to fit than this, came with all the required tools to fit, and was actually cheaper than the Plastimo. The Selden is more difficult to maintain as it can't be dismantled in situ but seems to be better built overall judging from the video.

 

[Searush]

I would hate to go to sea without roller reefing

it is great for me for when sneaking up on the birds with the tide

all I need to do now is to work out the reefing on the main

Dylan

Perhaps have a long topping lift back to the cockpit & a long mainsheet so you can simply scandalise the main to slow down, or equally set up the gaff halliard so that you can drop the gaff for the same effect. The way that the gaff jaws are held against the mast may be the big issue with the latter.

 

[dylanwinter]

tell me about the Selden

Suddenly I'm very glad I bought the Selden one! It was much, much easier to fit than this, came with all the required tools to fit, and was actually cheaper than the Plastimo. The Selden is more difficult to maintain as it can't be dismantled in situ but seems to be better built overall judging from the video.

the plastimo was £239

how much did you pay for the Selden?

tell me why it is better

I had not even looked at the others - the boat came with plastimo so it seemed easiest to replace what was already on there

Dylan

 

[VicS]

the plastimo was £239

how much did you pay for the Selden?

tell me why it is better

I had not even looked at the others - the boat came with plastimo so it seemed easiest to replace what was already on there

Dylan

The only price I can find for the smallest Seldex Furlex is not far short of £500

 

[dylanwinter]

that was my understanding

The only price I can find for the smallest Seldex Furlex is not far short of £500

I thought that the other gear was more expensive

and the plastimo set had lasted 20 years

still in good nick but attached to the other rig and it had been pop rivetted together

D

 

[Lakesailor]

I am now looking for a cheap dinghy furling system for the old GP14.

A downhaul on the halyard. Can't get much cheaper than that.
It's only a handkerchief.

Next cheapest is Barton furling gear, about £70, but too complex on a dinghy really. It'll extend you rigging time and you need a wire luff in the headsail. (maybe you already have a wire luff?)

 

[Searush]

A downhaul on the halyard. Can't get much cheaper than that.
It's only a handkerchief.

Next cheapest is Barton furling gear, about £70, but too complex on a dinghy really. It'll extend you rigging time and you need a wire luff in the headsail. (maybe you already have a wire luff?)

Yes, a downhaul at the top clip is easy enough & I like simple & cheap! I priced the Barton gear & have been umming & ahhing about something that pricey for a boat that will only get used once or twice a year. I could spend the extra on a small second hand jib for when I want to reduce the power of the bigger genoa fitted for sailing with the G-kids.

 

[dylanwinter]

perhaps

A downhaul on the halyard. Can't get much cheaper than that.
It's only a handkerchief.

Next cheapest is Barton furling gear, about £70, but too complex on a dinghy really. It'll extend you rigging time and you need a wire luff in the headsail. (maybe you already have a wire luff?)

you are right of course

it is a small genoa

I do a lot of slow sailing

so rolling out a small amount of genoa and still being able to fly it is pretty important to me

besides.... I love the look of a genoa unrolling in the morning

Dylan

 

[FistralG]

Another Good video, Dylan.

What was the tiller and bungy used for?

Do you not count the "how to build a duck punt in 7 days" as a how to video?

 

[CreakyDecks]

I think you might regret having that ring on the bottom of the forestay. The swaged screw fitting on mine fits through the "bearings" and the inner sleeves, which lets me slide the whole roller furler off the forestay without having to dismantle it (losing the screws in the grass or the mud) and without having to lower the mast. Then I can separate the foil sections on the ground. When I put it back on I just hoist it up with a halyard, adding sections as it goes up the forestay.

 

[dylanwinter]

might do

I think you might regret having that ring on the bottom of the forestay. The swaged screw fitting on mine fits through the "bearings" and the inner sleeves, which lets me slide the whole roller furler off the forestay without having to dismantle it (losing the screws in the grass or the mud) and without having to lower the mast. Then I can separate the foil sections on the ground. When I put it back on I just hoist it up with a halyard, adding sections as it goes up the forestay.

that is true

I had not thought of that

why did you have to take yours apart?

I presume that at some stage one of the sections will get a bashing

why are flexible furlers not available here?

http://www.sailcdi.com/ffmain.htm

I have been living with trailer sailers with RR for some years - and so far have managed to protect them from damage

it will come though |I am sure

Dylan

 

[VicS]

that is true

I had not thought of that

why did you have to take yours apart?

I presume that at some stage one of the sections will get a bashing

why are flexible furlers not available here?

http://www.sailcdi.com/ffmain.htm

I have been living with trailer sailers with RR for some years - and so far have managed to protect them from damage

it will come though |I am sure

Dylan

The only time my furler has ever been separated from the forestay was to replace the forestay.
On that occasion the old damaged wire was cut to remove it and AFAIK the bottom eye was formed after the new wire had been threaded through the spar.

 

[dylanwinter]

dropping

The only time my furler has ever been separated from the forestay was to replace the forestay.
On that occasion the old damaged wire was cut to remove it and AFAIK the bottom eye was formed after the new wire had been threaded through the spar.

I do expect to be dropping the mast many times a season

so the chance of dmagaing the thing are fasirly high

although being a gunter it is a fairly short forestay so that can really heklp to reduce the stresses on it

Dylan

 

[VicS]

I do expect to be dropping the mast many times a season

so the chance of dmagaing the thing are fasirly high

although being a gunter it is a fairly short forestay so that can really heklp to reduce the stresses on it

Dylan

Don't damage the spar! New sections of foil will be difficult to get if Plastimo go out of business.

If you ever damage the wire you can have the replacement made with a smaller eye or Swagelock terminal instead perhaps

 

[CreakyDecks]

I took it off because one of the foil sections was a little bent and it used to annoy me when it wobbled as i was rolling it in or out. Thinking about it, it is something you are going to do so rarely that you would just lower the mast. The only other reason for lowering it would be to give the top bearing a wash out (the ball one not the split ring).
Incidentally, if you ever feel tempted to disassemble the drum unit for any reason, don't do it in the garden! The little white plastic balls from the two ball races will fall out all over the floor. Luckily I was in my living room when I did it.

 

[lustyd]

the plastimo was £239

how much did you pay for the Selden?

tell me why it is better

I had not even looked at the others - the boat came with plastimo so it seemed easiest to replace what was already on there

Dylan

I don't have the figures any more unfortunately but it was bought with a sail from Crusader and therefore heavily discounted.

It was easier to fit and took much less time than yours did. The sections of foil fit together with little clips so no little fiddly screws. The drum looks considerably better made on the Selden (although it still won't survive a collision ). The Selden came with all the required tools to fit as well as a new forestay and stalok terminal which is very handy as I didn't need to ferret about in the boat when already a little stressed. I was stressed because I fitted mine while in my marina berth one evening, I dropped the mast, fitted the reefing and raised the mast in a couple of hours while it was getting dark. As I said though, I can't take mine apart so there are downsides. Remember that better is subjective - that was just the impression I got from the film.
Cheers
Dave

 

[ghostlymoron]

Well done Dylan. Didn't drop any screws till near the end. I've spent hours searching grass and gravel for the blighters.
Plastimo are by far the cheapest R/R and quite good enough for general use - I'd probably go for an upgrade for ocean use though.