Roller Headsail

Athene V30

Athene V30

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20 Sep 2001
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Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria in Winter, the boat
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I have been given permission by swmbo to spend some money on my boat! I want to replace my old hanked on jibs with roller furling. What should I consider for a 27' cruising boat. I don't race but don't want to go slow!

There are several boats in the yard with Plastimo 608 on them - but no one around yet to ask. I can do basic DIY but tend to be enthusiastic with new projects and then get bored if it doesn't go right first time!

I am talking to a couple of sail lofts to get estimates for the whole works but would like an idea from someone who has 'done it themself' what really is envolved.

Thanks in anticipation

Peter
 
I fitted a Plastimo 810 last year. No problems at all. Easy to follow instructions, easy maintenance and it works very well.

good luck,

David
 
Situation and needs much as yours.
I replaced a broken Plastimo with a Furlex last year- it was a nightmare for a DIYer.
I would have been better off replacing like for like, not least because the Plastimo can I believe be installed from the deck up- unlike the Furlex which has to be installed on the forestay and the whole lot hoisted up.

Then there is the cost <£400 for Plastimo- about £900 for Furlex!!
 
Im doing just what your doing and spent last season looking at roller reafing.I asked proffesionals how were replaceing systems or remounting the mast and system.

The result was pro furl the best most compact as i have a small boat a folkboat,i asked other FB users what they thought, those with pro furl loved them.

The others seemed to be ok though ferlex got mixed opinions.

The professionals recomened me to buy pro furl other wise if money was a question to go for the Plastimo,
If we had 40 50 footers they would recomend other furlers,i saw some huge drums! They looked huge and were but when mounted on the boat looked quite in place!!

Ive gone for a wyickham martin!! As i only have my jib and wanted to furl it in port only.
 
I understand.

An expert told me that when it came time to sell then the Furlex would be an advantage. I expect he is right, at least I hope so.

I don't remember looking at Profurl but threads on here since then all seem to indicate it is good kit.

I did look at Rotostay which although appearing a little ugly, had a thicker and continuous line, which appealed to me as being easier to grip when wet and avoided having metres of line in the cockpit when furled. It seemed to be strongly built and a yachting magazine review of it (Sailing Today) seemed impressed.

However, it was the long term advantage of good equipment and enhanced resale potential of the boat one day, that swung the decision.

Not the best choice in retrospect but experience comes at a price doesn't it?
 
peter,
the Plastimo 810 can be fitted with the mast stepped or laid down. I suggest you confirm that the bottom end will fit to your stemhead.
I've just checked the assembly instructions, and the 604 and 810 are identical.

regards

David
 
We fitted a Furlex system (200S) to our Twister (similar size to you) a couple of years ago. I am sure others will disagree, but the kit was comprehensive and I felt, fairly straight forward. It can be fitted with the mast up but you'll need to be in the water really - don't fancy being at the masthead with the boat in a cradle. Our mast was down which, IMHO, made the job easier, especially if you need to fit halyard diverters. The whole job took less than a day with only basic hand tools required.

Other than occaisional rinsing with fresh water & greasing the bearings each year there's not a lot to do other than use it! We've found it to be utterly reliable and are extremely pleased with our 'investment'.

Good luck.
 
Hi Peter

I fitted a 608 a coulpe of years ago on a 26' boat. It was easy to fit and you don't need any specialist skills or tools.
It can be fitted with the mast up. It has good instructions too.
Only problem I found was the reefing line sometimes jumped off the drum, causing a bit of a birds nest. There was an article in Aprils PBO on page 112. A couple of large shackles have been used to prevent the line getting wedged between the drum cheeks.
You can get a 608 here http://www.seamarknunn.com/catalog/subcat527.htm
 
I had the reefing line problem on a 408 and solved it by fitting smaller diameter reefing line. I already had a good lead angle to the drum, it just seemed the line was bulking up and climbing over the plastic tensioner thingy.

Line diameter isn't an issue as you don't want to be reefing with the sail powered up. You can keep tension on the sail by feeding the sheet out as you pull the reefing line in.
 
Can't say as I bought the boat with reefing line on and when I decided I needed thinner line I just went to the swindlery with a sample of the old and chose a thinner line. Not very technical I know.

It does depend how many turns it takes to furl your headsail. Maybe try it out with some old, or cheap line to get an idea?
 
Fitted a 608 last season and can certainly recommend it for DIY fit. Did mine with mast up.
Only problem I had was the thimble on the existing forestay was too big to fit through the drum. Solved that problem by getting local rigger to fit a new forestay (£60) and cut it myself to the correct length.
Haven't had a problem with the furling line but can see that it might jump out if not controlled properly.
 
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