Spending other people's money?!

[RupertW]

Working autopilot is top for me single handed but you shouldn't need a big or expensive one - the one you have is obviously just unreliable or you have the sails unbalanced (particularly if it rounds up in a gust when reaching).

But for real pleasure sailing single handed if you can go for both then do.

 

[Dutch01527]

I have hank on sails on my 28 foot Dehler sailed from Cardiff. I was convinced that a roller furler would be an early requirement. An expensive option with the cost of the furler and sail modifications.

Not so convinced now. The task of hanking on the appropriate sail at the start of a day takes less than 5 minutes. I fitted a downhaul and the halyard already ran back to the cockpit. I can drop the sail in seconds and sail on main alone if needed. I have done so when I have seen a squal approaching. It is quicker and easier than reefing/unreefing. The boat does not seem to be unbalanced just on the main.

I plan to add netting to the guard rails forward for extra sail security but to date tight sheets and downhaul keep the sail in place with no major flapping. The big Genoa needs turning head to wind to drop it along the center line if it is blowing a bit but no major problems in winds up to 20 knots so far.

In extreme weather I would add sail ties to further secure the sail, as I do overnight, so a little risk there of having to go on deck but acceptable. I found on my previous boat that I rarely, if ever, changed the head sail fitted to the furler because it was a pain to do so meaning that I was over or under canvassed quite often.

 

[stevie69p]

As a mostly single - handed sailor, I can only echo what others have already said. First would be a tiller pilot (I have a Navico TP300 that works fine, hooked up to the chartplotter also). Roller reefing headsail is great, but the real game changer for me over my previous boat is in mast reefing of the main sail. Reefing both sails is a doddle from the comfort of the cockpit, though the downside is a mainsail that has no roach. I can live with that compromise as a cruising boat.

 

[Daydream believer]

As a mostly single - handed sailor, I can only echo what others have already said. First would be a tiller pilot (I have a Navico TP300 that works fine, hooked up to the chartplotter also). Roller reefing headsail is great, but the real game changer for me over my previous boat is in mast reefing of the main sail. Reefing both sails is a doddle from the comfort of the cockpit, though the downside is a mainsail that has no roach. I can live with that compromise as a cruising boat.

Here we go !!
I suppose we have Tam Lin ( post #9) to blame for that comment -- Many a true word spoken in jest:encouragement:

 

[jac]

As a mostly single - handed sailor, I can only echo what others have already said. First would be a tiller pilot (I have a Navico TP300 that works fine, hooked up to the chartplotter also). Roller reefing headsail is great, but the real game changer for me over my previous boat is in mast reefing of the main sail. Reefing both sails is a doddle from the comfort of the cockpit, though the downside is a mainsail that has no roach. I can live with that compromise as a cruising boat.

He does say though that he has a TP - just that he doesn't trust it.

On that basis I think being in the cockpit working whilst it steers is one thing - being on the foredeck is a whole new ball game, let alone the "normal" issues of suddenly needing to avoid something like a lobster pot. If you're 2 seconds from it, it's not an issue. If you're on the foredeck it is.

As so many others have said, buy the furler. I would give consideration to keeping a forestay suitable for your hank on sails though - maybe via highfield to suitable point on the deck - then size the furled genoa at No 2 size and use the hanked on no1 in light wind conditions when foredeck trips are safer and again maybe in strong winds for a 4 / storm jib.

You should be able to trust the tiller pilot / tiller tamer whilst your furl / unfurl from the cockpit.

If you have windvane that is trustworthy then I wouldn't spend large amounts on a tiller pilot - presumable it will only be for when motoring / at end of a trip anyway.

 

[stevie69p]

Here we go !!
I suppose we have Tam Lin ( post #9) to blame for that comment -- Many a true word spoken in jest:encouragement:

Haha... I missed that post to be honest.

When I bought the boat, it came with the retro fitted in mast system, and I wasn't that keen, but I do love it now I have it all running freely.

I would still say my top pick would be a dependable tiller pilot first, as that can be used while going to tie fenders on, set mooring lines up, etc. I could live with a hank on headsail and standard main set up if needs be.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I am with the roller furling guys. The Plastimo gear works fine , I had it on a 26 ft boat with no problems and it is much cheaper than Harken , Furlex etc.

 

[Stemar]

I am with the roller furling guys. The Plastimo gear works fine , I had it on a 26 ft boat with no problems and it is much cheaper than Harken , Furlex etc.

I'd agree with that. My Plastmerde (thats what the Frogs call 'em) kit was undersized for the boat, but lasted 15 years before the bearings finally gave up the ghost.

 

[neil_s]

I would go for the roller headsail. You might find a second-hand one - I have a Rotostay E06, now many years old and still works fine. You can also fit your number 1 with mainsail luff slide bullets and continue to use it. If you put it below at the end of the weekend it will last for ages!

Tiller pilots are never going to work well in rough conditions. It's like asking somebody to steer from down below. Without spending enormous amounts of dosh, I think you need to accept getting into and out of harbour and smooth seas/light winds is all your Navico does.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Firstly thank you for the replies, it's been a busy day at work so I've managed to have a quick read now and then but haven't had a chance to reply.

It looks like furler wins the popular vote, it's just a bit gutting as I have 2 really good sails that suit the boat well but neither would be worth converting to roller. The thought was when they needed changing I would put a furler on then. I do have the No2 which is showing its age that did have luff tape but put back to hanks after the toggle broke on the previous owners furler and put him off them. I don't actully mind going forward if I know the boat will point the way I want it to but I do like the thought of being able to roll out the head sail if the engine conked out in a sticky situation (without having to go forward and get the sail up), also being able to control the amount of sail quickly.

I think it's safe to say I'll be doing more solo and short handed work, living in the middle of Shropshire many of my friends don't mind coming for a sail now and then but I can't rely on them as crew (they have their own lives). The wife doesn't mind a short, calm sail but we have a two year old that'll need her attention so I have to be able to do things without her even if she's there. I'm always pretty conservative with picking sails, she sails really well with a full main and the no4 in 15kns of wind then just reefing the main to suit. The no1 only goes up when it's really light or I have crew.

I'll look into getting luff tape on the No2 although when I've spoke to people before I thought it I would be better putting the cash towards a new sail (anyone got an idea of what it would cost to convert to luff tape?). I've been looking out for a secondhand sail but I'm wary of buying something that might not fit. Again I'm a little reluctant to buy a used furler (I've been offered a Furlex 200 for £400) as there's a good chance it'll be worn out (why else would you change one?) The Plastimo and a converted/used sail is within reach but something like the base model Harken would mean a bit saving, then the cost of a sail. I quite like the Plastimo, even though it's "cheap" I like it's independent to the forestay (with the warnings of the previous owners toggle breaking ringing in my ears).

Interesting to hear the ev100 isn't foolproof, I was hoping it would be pretty sorted and hold a course in some rougher stuff or unballanced (when changing head sails). My Navico is an old one and does seem a bit sluggish compared to the newer TPs I've seen on videos of online. You always hear of people putting warranty claims in for them or buying a new one two years later but at £500 a pop I would rather have a good one to start with.

There's lots of things I need to do to make it easier, it's just a matter of money. Lines leading aft are one of those but as I've mentioned I'm happy going forward for now. If I'm honest I should have bought a boat set up already but buying this one was right for me at the time and I'm quite happy having a blank canvas so to speak. I'm also one to believe nothing on a boat lasts forever so I would need to replace things even if they were already there.

Edit, I should reply to say a solent stay (to use a smaller hank on No4 plus storm jib) is on the wishlist but again the cost puts it way down the list for now.

Thoughts are at the moment a Plastimo 811 (but check out this furlex), convert my no2 to luff tape to see me through a year or so and save a bit more for an all in one tiller pilot I can trust a bit more.

Feel free to add or suggest ideas.

Tom

 

[doug748]

All a sailmaker generally does is slice off the hanks and sew on the tape. You can buy the luff tape which should work out about £30 ish. An upholsterer might fit it for 20 quid. Not the sort of job suitable for a domestic machine though. See here:

http://www.bainbridgeint.com/Products.aspx?Item=X3132

Bainbridge may not supply you as a private punter, and you may have to order through your local sailmaker, it would be interesting to know. If not, I am sure there are other distributors.

I had a sail done once and I guess it would cost maybe £130? now, from a loft, at non-Hamble prices. But that is very much a guess

 

[Yellow Ballad]

All a sailmaker generally does is slice off the hanks and sew on the tape. You can buy the luff tape which should work out about £30 ish. An upholsterer might fit it for 20 quid. Not the sort of job suitable for a domestic machine though. See here:

http://www.bainbridgeint.com/Products.aspx?Item=X3132

Bainbridge may not supply you as a private punter, and you may have to order through your local sailmaker, it would be interesting to know. If not, I am sure there are other distributors.

I had a sail done once and I guess it would cost maybe £130? now, from a loft, at non-Hamble prices. But that is very much a guess

£130 seems fair and not bad if I can get a few years out of an old sail. I'm sure watching a sailrite video there's some shaping required so I'm not sure I would try it myself, but for that sort of money I would rather give it to the local sailmaker.