Plastimo Headsail Reefing

CliveG

CliveG

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I am in the process of purchasing a 26' trailer sailer.

One of the items I will need to replace is the existing reefing gear.

Has any one used the Plastimo Headsail Reefing system?
Is it any good
It seems to be about half the price of the other systems on the market.

The boat is fractional rigged and will be used mainly for cruising including cross channel.
I will also need a new genoa.

You advice would be most welcome
 
Whatever you buy, check it has delrin or stainless steel bearings. I had a Plastimo R/R setup on a previous boat that had mild steel bearings. They rusted up quite often over a winter layup and I had to replace them twice.

Hope this helps
 
Clive,
I've done the investigation for this on my old Jouet 18 months ago, also fractional with bendy mast.
I went for a package deal from Crusader Sails.
I chose the Facnor S60, as it has the ability to be converted back to racing because the drum can be removed, and it is a slim section twin luff groove. In all other respects it is well made and designed from my engineering standpoint. Can be fitted over your current forestay, but Crusader made a good offer on that in my package also.
Get the tri radial cut Genny with the extras like foam luff and weatherstrip.

Crusaders kit came with absolutely everything required including allen keys, drill bits and lubricants. On time in budget, cant ask for more than that.

IMG_7417_1024small.jpg


IMG_7422small.jpg


No wind that day but you get the idea.
 
The Plastimo gear is fine. Unless you have some special requirements or are into serious racing you'll find it perfectly OK.

It's relatively cheap because they sell a lot of them.

What is wrong with the existing gear? It may be repairable.
 
Had it on my last boat and will put it on this boat.
The major problem with it is the halyard feed angle at the top.
If it's too close to the forestay (that is; too near being parrallel) it doesn't stop the top bobbin turning as you furl and the halyard gets wrapped around the forestay.
They have a large plastic bobbin to go above the top fitting which pushes the halyard out to create the resistance required (which doesn't work too well) or you can get a halyard feeder to attach to the mast to divert the halyard so it approaches the forestay from a more horizontal angle.
The problem with that is you need the mast up and down a couple of times to ensure you're getting it in the right spot before drilling holes. The big plastic bobbin can be slid up the forestay on top of the foil without dropping the mast.

Also the furling line is better if thinner rather than thicker. If it rides out of the drum it can jam with the sail fully out. So just when you want to furl a bit, or put the sail away on a windy day, it's a trip down the foredeck and a wrestle with the furling drum.
 
I have the Plastimo 608S model on my 24' Feeling (this as you might guess is for 6 to 8 metre boats).

It seems to be reliable and for the price, well made. I certainly haven't had any problem with the bearings in the drum.

My system I think was originally bought in 1997 (by a previous owner) and sourced from Seateach at Emsworth as a package with genoa to suit.

As the boat has spent much of its life afloat since then the system has stood up very well to salt, uv attack, rain frost, etc. with no breakage or signs of ageing to the plastic or aluminium components. Last year I had all the standing rigging replaced and obviously checked the reefing gear thoroughly at that time.

I guess it all comes down to pennies and what sort of use it will get, do you plan to go racing for instance? You could easily spend £2000 on reefing gear, but for a budget system for the cruising -minded sailor I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending the Plastimo.
 
I would agree with others re. the Plastimo gear. I fitted one to my last boat and one came with my current boat. No real problems with either.

One point: to remove it, e.g. to replace the forestay, you have to fully dismantle it which involves drilling out the rivets which can be a real pain. (OTOH some other makes use glue which makes dismantlement well nigh impossible!) The rivets supplied are stainless, and even trying to be careful - low revs, lots of pressure etc., there is a tendency to consume lots of drill bits. And if you don't immediately release pressure on break-through you're likely to take a bite out of the forestay... Having gone through this on two occasions I now use aluminium rivets, reasoning that since they only hold the various parts in lateral alignment and don't carry any real load, a softer material should be perfectly adequate. I check annually for corrosion, but no signs to date. (I believe that on newer models some of the rivets have been replaced by screws, but a good few rivets remain.)
 
Check others such as Rotostay etc, you will see why the difference in price. For your standard run of the mill the Plastimo is up to the job. I personally use a Rotostay and if I had more dosh then I would go for the Furlex S100. Plastimo slides over the original forestay, Rotostay provides a new forestay. AIMHO

Cheers
 
Thanks to all for the advice

The existing system is an old (Second hand to the boat I am told) Rotostay.
It is jambed.

I am advised that it needs relpacing but will have a look at it before doing so.
Can you get spares for these still?
 
never owned a plastimo but I helped a friend fit plastimo 608 roller furling on his 22 footer.fairly simple to do .The plastic connectors were a bit tight to go together so we used KY jelly on them which helped.

You can assemble it over the eye on the forestay. We did it with the mast standing and the stay attatched at the top this worked OK but it would be easier with the stay horizontal.

Is it too early to let us know what you have bought yet??
 
I am still waiting for the surveyor's report.
He has told me what to expect but I need the broker / owner to see it.

There is no major issues with the structure of the boat but quite a few things need sorting that could cost a lot of man hours.

I want the owner to tell me what he is willing to sort.
We should then be able to close the deal.

As soon as it is a done deal I will let you know.
 
[ QUOTE ]

The existing system is an old (Second hand to the boat I am told) Rotostay.
It is jambed.


Can you get spares for these still?

[/ QUOTE ]
If it's a Rotostay II these had top and bottom bearings which were part of the forestay and therefore took all the load when under sail which is why they fail. Yes, you can get replacement parts but you still have a systen with the same design faults.
Just replaced my Rotostay II (today) with a Sailspar system.
My advice would be shop around for something which suits your needs (and pocket) but definitely not a system which has bearings as part of the forestay.
 
<<Jim,

I think I know where the top phot is - but where are you on the bottom photo.>>

Brian, both photos taken withon 5 minutes of each other, with the photographer standing on the Crouch Yachy Club pontoon.

Binocoms....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I need to speak with you about the other (I think) interesting item.

Jim
 
If you need to replace the forestay, just take the whole thing along to the riggers - they can replace the stay without dismantling the roller reefing - I have done this twice on two different boat and its a LOT easier. Trust me I have done it both ways
 
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