Prelude 19 roller reefing or not?

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davew190

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Thinking of fitting a Plastimo 406 to my prelude, I've owned the boat for 10 years or more and every year think about a reefing system.
Is the Plastimo easy to fit? will I need a new sail?
I assume I will have to modify the existing sail that clips on to the forestay.
Thanks
 
I believe the plastimo furling gear is very easy to fit. I did lend a hand to someone fitting one to his Rowan last year but only because he is even less agile than me and is unable to look up. He had actually done most of it himself before I appeared on the scene and I was just helping him with the bottom fittings. He did not seem to have any trouble at all and he would have happily finished the job on his own if I had not paused for a natter.

The sail will need a roped luff to fit the spar. the existing rope may well no be the right size. It may need the luff to be cut slightly concave as well or even padded slightly so that it is a decent shape when reefed. It the sail is cut fairly full then it won't roll to a decent shape either. Furling headsails are also usually made up in a different pattern of panels as well.

It will propbably be better to get a new sail specially made for the furling gear. Imho it would not be worth having an oldish one modified but if you have a nearly new sail you may wish to think a bit more about it.

Take a look at any of the Sailmakers websites you can find including http://www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia.asp then have a chat with your favourie sailmaker
 
My last boat had that reefing system and it worked very well. I had the genoa modified and the sailmaker fitted a plasticky/rubbery band to the luff with a moulded in bead to act as the boltrope. It was very good.
My current boat (Foxcub 18) is hank on and I seriously considered putting roller reefing on again when I had a new main made. But as time goes on I find I am quite fond og the hank-on sail.
There again I lake-sail and can choose my weather. If you're sailing on the sea and need to shorten sail on the move I think that would be the decider.
 
I went down that route with my 19' Caprice - didn't fancy doing the jitterbug in the bows , changing the foresails when in my dotage and with a pulpit but no lifelines. I had my genny cut down and roped. Was helped by a friend at the club.
 
Why not just fit a downhual.
All you need is 3 small blocks and a length of line led back to the cockpit.
Very cheap and no need to go on deck to get the sail down.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Why not just fit a downhual

[/ QUOTE ] Not quite the same as a reefing system!
 
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