Roller Furling

[ginwoodf]

I have a 22' Kestrel and would like to fit roller reefing to save on trips forward whilst at sea. Does anyone have an opinion on the better system, plastimo.etc and an idea of fitting costs???
Thanx all, Gordon Inwood

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Re: Roller Furling Plastimo

Have you looked at their site <A target="_blank" HREF=http://129.35.131.25/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DetailProduit?catalogId=1&storeId=1&langId=-1&itemId=25200>here</A>

I think plastimo takes some beating cor thats a joke!

Trevor

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[charles_reed]

The Plastimo system is at the "economic" end of the price range - If you go up a size on their recommendations you'll be reasonably safe, if not terribly satisfied.

Have a word with Ian Cochrane of Rotomarine - they're rather more expensive but supply the system as a do-it-yourself kit and give plenty of advice.
Tel no 01243 573131

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[Gunfleet]

I used to have one of these, Gordon. Lovely boat though a bit noisy with the water chuckling uder the bilge at night. Respodents to your post will need to know it has no backstay and a boom which overhangs the transom. In other words there's a lorrastress on this gear. Have you thought about the original roller furling rather than roller reefing gear? If so talk to Classic Marine in Woodbridge. And here's a ps - don't let it dry out with the rudder on the pintles. It'll stress the lower pintle in a way it'll be impossible to satisfactorily repair. Good luck
John

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[tillergirl]

Have a look at Sailspar's kit. Much much better than Plastimo and its British - Tower Street, Brightlingsea, 01206-302679

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[charles_reed]

Backstays

Whether or not the boat has a backstay or relies on 25 degree spreader back-sweep is irrelevant.

The foil of the roller-reefing gear fits round the forestay - usually a replacement - of exactly the same diameter as the original.

In fact boats without backstays exert less not more load on the forestay, though the flexing under sail can result in quicker work hardening.

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Backstays

<<flexing under sail can result in quicker work hardening>> is much more accurate than <<lorrastress>> but then I'm no engineer. The bloke at Sailspar recommended against roller reefing on my Kestrel. Perhaps our correspondent should simply ask him for himself. Roller furling works fine however. It's what mine had.

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[charles_reed]

Re: Backstays

or lack of them.

Your warning is most appropriate.

If there is much movement on the forestay it's likely that the rotating foil will jam when the stay is under maximum deflection.

I had that problem on my last mast, due to the positioning of the diverter distorting the forestay, when maximum halliard tension was put on.

With adequate bearings at each end this is more of a nuisance than a catastrophe, but it is a definite contra-indication for the Plastimo.

A look at www.harken.com will allow you to view some roller furlers for free-set sails (note these are furlers not reefers).

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[ean_p]

Re: Backstays

As a point of interest , what is the practical difference between a 'furler' and a 'reefer'.......?

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[charles_reed]

Furler/reefer

Furling gear, epitomised by the Wykeham Martin gear pre-2nd world war would allow you to roll the sail up once you had arrived at the mooring, thus saving taking it off.
But woe betide you if you tried to use it for shortening sail, it was impossible to move and you'd likely fracture part of your anatomy at the same time as the device self-destructed.

Modern reefing gear can be used to reduce the sail area and avoid having to change headsails.

It has distinct limitations, beyond about 40% reefed the sail is almost useless, having lost all shape and most demand you take all the drive out of them before you reef - that problem is reduced if you fit a snubbing winch.

The distinction is lost on most because the furling gear, being pretty useless, has been replaced by reefing gear.

The best ones like Hoods Profurl, take about a half-turn in the foil centre to reduce "bag" before starting to roll up the foot and leech and have a direct-acting halyard so you don't distort the foil because of the side-pull from your diverter.
To cut costs manufacturers reduce the size and area of bearings, utilise existing halyards and reduce the foil stiffness.

Mid-range gear like the Rotomarine and Furlex are adequate for offshore use - but the Plastimo gear has been aimed at the weekend recreational sailor where failure is an amusing embarrassment rather than a major threat.

As with everything you pays your money..

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[matahari]

I agree with Charles Wood. The man to contact is Ian Cochrane of Rotostay. His mobile number is 07774 988145.

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