Re: Jib furlers

[Bob Schimmel <bpschim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dave:

My experience with furlers is that you should buy a good metal one.
I have been on several boats when the furler literally exploded after the
furling line broke and the recoil forces broke the plastic drum, etc. Not
a good situation in a storm.  Now you have a flogging sail that has to come
down and is difficult to manage. Of course it should go without saying that
the sails should be reefed BEFORE the heavy winds hit! 

I use a down haul line attached to the head of the jib and lead it back to
the cockpit to haul my jib down from the safety of the cockpit. The limitation
with this technique is that the boat should be pointed into the wind so the
sail drops on the deck. This is not always possible. 

Having said all this, the speed and convenience of a good furler is very
nice. You don't have to jump in the water to clean your sweaty body afterwards.
-- 


Kind Regards

Bob Schimmel
(Always stay curious)


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