Roller Reefing on a Budget

[JeffBoath]

Hi, I'm planning on updating to roller refing on my Elizabethan 31 but have a limited budget, I believe my current No.1 Jib will adapt to be a suitable sail, it's just finding the right system. Plastimo would appear to be the cheapest, or would I be better looking for second hand?

 

[VicS]

Plastimo gear seems to be inexpensive, designed to be easily fitted by any owner and can be fitted to an existing rig without lowering the mast.

Not Rolls-Royce stuff but functional

( Note that there are two versions ... the 'Turnbuckle' version which fits the existing forestay and retains the bottle screw and the 'Chainplate' Version which requires a new forestay without a bottle screw.)

Worth looking at the fitting instructions on Plastimo's website http://www.plastimo.com/pdf/S-Series(english).pdf

Its usual to use with a Genoa but no reason not to use a no 1 jib
Your sail maker will advise if your sail will be suitable and is in good enough condition to make adaption viable

 

[JeffBoath]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[winsbury]

You might have a few probs getting anything from Plastimo at present - I just ordered some dorade boxes only to be told they are out of business. They have been in and out of administration for a while though from what I can gather have been bought out but its not clear what that will mean for the brand or continuation of the ranges; their website is currently not working and all the web retailers Ive spoken to have said they are not getting any communications or goods so they are effectively out of business. This is very bad news for those of us on a budget or that already have Plastimo fittments that need replacing/repair.

PS: have ordered dorade boxes from http://www.air-onlyventilators.com as they use almost the same size holes as the old ones I'm replacing, hopefully they will be as good as they look on the website.

 

[JeffBoath]

I suspect the company is in trouble, I spoke to my local chandelery today who stated that parts for Plastimo furlers are impossible to get direct from Plastimo and have been for some time. Leaves me in a bit of a dilema regarding what to do next.

 

[neil_s]

You might look out for a second-hand Rotostay E. They are well made and easy to service yourself.

I used a hank-on working jib on mine for several years. Just fit mainsail bullet slides instead of piston hanks and a strop at the head to let the top swivel get to its rightful place. You need a bit more haliard tension to stretch out the luff and to stop it fluttering in between slides.

I found the working jib so useful that I got a new one made last year - but with a monofilament luff!

Neil

 

[merlin3688]

My records tell me that your Forestay size is 6mm, most gears will include a new Forestay, not cheap but you cannot go wrong with a Furlex from Selden, if you go to the LBS you may find either a sailmaker or Selden agent who can offer you a good discount. I guess your sail may be able to be modified but again a sailmaker will advice on this. Looking at people who will be at the boat show Allspars (Selden agent) Jeckells (Sails and furling gears) and Crusader (Sails and furling gears) may be able to help you.

 

[xeitosaphil]

Hi, I'm planning on updating to roller refing on my Elizabethan 31 but have a limited budget, I believe my current No.1 Jib will adapt to be a suitable sail, it's just finding the right system. Plastimo would appear to be the cheapest, or would I be better looking for second hand?

I've got an old one second hand in the Boat Jumble Section, came off my 30 footer, cheap as chips, just to get you off the ground, till you can afford a better one?

 

[macd]

I suspect the company is in trouble

No need for suspicion. Navimo (owners of Plastimo, Goiot etc) went into receivership in May. I think there's been a partial rescue of Plastimo by Alliance Marine Group but it looks unlikely that the full range of products will reappear, at least any time soon.

 

[Seajet]

I don't know if they have any left in stock, but SeaTeach chandlery at Emsworth, Hants are / were a major supplier of Plastimo headsail reefing kit; 01243 375774.

If they have anything be very careful to confirm sizes and spec's, not their strong point and especially important now Plastimo have bittten the dust...

 

[JeffBoath]

Thanks again, I'm now torn as to what to do for the best, time for some pondering and no doubt a lot of procrastination!

 

[winsbury]

If it were me, and if the existing reefing system needs replacing anytime soon, I'd bite the bullet and go for a Harken one, expensive but really good - the smaller Harken systems arent that dear in the grand scheme of things and for the lack of worry and long term performance they work out cheaper in the long run.