Sail slides instead of luff tape into furler

[zambant]

I have a MK4 Rotostay furler on my Centaur.

I have a Genoa which has hanks on it and am considering using it with my furler.

I am considering removing the piston hanks and replacing them with plastic sliders of the correct size to run up the foil. I'm going to use tape and sew hrough the centre to hold them.

My questions are .....

1. Has anyone else done / got this arrangement
2. If you do have this arrangement does the jib furl ok?
3. Any other comments / issues / observations


I realise a luff tape is the best way to go but finances dont allow for this...

Thanks.

John

 

[catalac08]

I have used a couple of old genoas & jibs like this. Both set and furled very well and there was no noticeable difference in performance from either. In the 3 seasons I used these there appeared to be no UV degradation to the sails or stitching that I could see. Good way of keeping sailing economically. I have never understood why people just bin perfectly usable sails-I think most people do not realise there is this option. I just used several turns of thin cord to secure the sliding hanks. If you work out the strain on each individual slide this is actually quite low compared to the total sheet loading.

 

[ianat182]

I did this job on the previous old genoa I had and it works well provided the slugs are the correct diameter for the furler slot; mine is a Colnbrook Seareef and I used nylon sliders of 5mm and a 'neck' of 2.0mm; these attached through the former piston hank eyelets by waxed, strong whipping twine. Furling was no problem and lowering the sail straightforward. I have a small red storm jib fitted with hanks which I am about to modify in this way,though have never had to use it yet.

ianat182

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I have a small red storm jib fitted with hanks which I am about to modify in this way,though have never had to use it yet.

ianat182

That would only be possible if you have already removed the genoa, something that might not always be possible. If the genoa is furled the groove would not be available.

I have an emergency forestay that attaches just aft of the furler and is tensioned by a Highfield (?) lever. The storm jib is bent to this stay with piston hanks. Hoisting is either by the spinnaker halyard or even by the spi-boom topping lift,which is mounted very high on my mast.

 

[tarik]

I am contemplating exactly this arrangement - will follow this thread with interest.

regards


David

 

[Tranona]

I am contemplating exactly this arrangement - will follow this thread with interest.

regards


David

Although it is a cheapskate way of extending the life of old sails, if you really want to get the best out of a furling genoa it should be fitted with luff tape, and, depending on cut foam padding on the luff.

Can't see any advantage of using slugs over tape if the sail is designed to be used on a furler.

 

[oldharry]

Considered doing this, but decided the slugs would prevent the sail from rolling properly, and could cause a lot of local stress on the cloth, and prevent it furling properly. Or not. So I never actually tried it in practice. Would be interested to know whether I was right.

 

[PeteCooper]

My roller genoa has plastic slides into the track and has worked well for over ten years now.

 

[zambant]

Although it is a cheapskate way of extending the life of old sails, if you really want to get the best out of a furling genoa it should be fitted with luff tape, and, depending on cut foam padding on the luff.

Can't see any advantage of using slugs over tape if the sail is designed to be used on a furler.

- the cost !!!! slugs are a few pence each....

 

[oldharry]

Right! Off to dig out an old jib (I've got several around 6 -8m luff if anyone is looking for one) from the loft get some slugs, set it all up and see what happens! Thanks.

 

[Tranona]

- the cost !!!! slugs are a few pence each....

You get what you pay for! If it were a satisfactory way of attaching sails to furling foils, everybody (including sailmakers) would use them - but they don't.

As said, it is a a cheap way of reusing sails designed for another purpose.

 

[yoda]

My questions are .....

1. Has anyone else done / got this arrangement
2. If you do have this arrangement does the jib furl ok?
3. Any other comments / issues / observations

1. Have had.
2. Yes
3. Get the right size slugs!

Yoda

 

[zambant]

1. Have had.
2. Yes
3. Get the right size slugs!

Yoda

1. Thx
2. Cool
3. Will do
Thx
John

 

[fergie_mac66]

if you have a double groove, it would makes it easy to change sails if you moved into an area of stronger winds

 

[aquaplane]

I bought a boat with a recently fitted roller furler and that used the old genoa with the piston hanks replaced with slugs as described previously.

The luff was too long to fit the furling gear so that needed rectifying.

There was no sacrificial strip either so I had one fitted. Cutting the luff down and fitting a tape plus the sacrificial strip cost £350 IIRC, it needs to be a good sail to spend that sort of money on it.

The sail wasn't designed to roll up so I used it as a roller furler not roller reefing, ie all out or all in.

 

[neil_s]

I found the old hank-on working jib converted to roller reefing so useful I have just ordered a new sail.........to be fitted with slides!

Neil

 

[Old boat old ropes]

Hi there. I'm thinking of doing the same with sail slugs. I'm not sure the drum is working correctly as it appears the furling system was cobbled together from a few different systems (all selden furlex). The groove in the foil is 6mm does anyone know where I can find 5mm dia sail slugs? Thanks.

 

[ianat182]

Try Kayospruce at Segensworth(Fareham) or Seasure at Warsash . Get Kayospruces Catalogue sent to you!,lots of desirable necessities therein !

ianat182

 

[Old boat old ropes]

Thanks for your help. It seem that the sail slugs diameter start at 7mm which is too big, Ill have to have another look.

 

[DHV90]

Can i buy everyones old hanks please!