Jib roller reefing

[blackbeard]

I have Plastimo 406-S roller reefing on a self tacking jib on a 25' boat; been there for about 18 years. Not surprisingly (Plastimo reckon it's OK for boats up to 6 metres) it's a little tired and, in particular, segments of the foil tend to separate. Current situation is that I need to fix it or replace it before going sailing again. So I'm tempted to replace it with the next size up (609-S). Any views on 609-S?

Plastimo say that either can be installed with mast up and forestay in place (I assume it would be necessary to detach lower end and use jib/spinny halyards to keep mast upright) . Has anyone tried this and was it OK?

I'm told Harken is good; is the extra cost (ouch!) worth it? and can it be installed mast-up?

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I'm doing exactly the same at the mo and I've very tempted with the Plastimo kit but I'm saving a bit* more and going for a Sailspar furler, it looks bomb proof.

* Pretty much double but a lot less then Harken/Selden

 

[VicS]

I have Plastimo 406-S roller reefing on a self tacking jib on a 25' boat; been there for about 18 years. Not surprisingly (Plastimo reckon it's OK for boats up to 6 metres) it's a little tired and, in particular, segments of the foil tend to separate. Current situation is that I need to fix it or replace it before going sailing again. So I'm tempted to replace it with the next size up (609-S). Any views on 609-S?

Plastimo say that either can be installed with mast up and forestay in place (I assume it would be necessary to detach lower end and use jib/spinny halyards to keep mast upright) . Has anyone tried this and was it OK?

I'm told Harken is good; is the extra cost (ouch!) worth it? and can it be installed mast-up?

The foil sections are ITYWF the same but more are supplied with the basic 609 for a longer forestay
The 609 has different/ better sliding swivel, a larger and fully enclosed drum and different ( heavier?) side plates

Yes the Plastimo furlers are designed to be easily installed on an existing forestay with the mast up with some temporary support.

Be sure you know whether you want the long or the short sideplates. The long ( known as the "turnbuckle" version) fitting over a bottle screw. The short ( the "chainplate") version for fitting without a bottle screw.

The fitting instructions for the T versions are here, but cannot find instructions for the S versions https://www.plastimo.com/media/catalog/product/files/5/8/58224_notice_enr_t.pdf

Dylan Winter produced a video of fitting a 406 but IIRC there may be some deviations from Plastimo's instructions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uj3wZaQS3Q