Sailing with standard main and jib

[gwmoore]

I have had my X for just a few months. I can rig in about 20 minutes now, but the one thing I constantly have a problem with is the roller furler. The previous owner never even took his jib out of the sail bag. Now I am considering just taking the furler off and rigging a standard forstay and hanking on the jib. My only experience sailng with the main and furler was when I went out on my demo sail with the previous owner. It was in SF Bay and he did not know what he was doing. We were over powered and eventually dropped the main and sailed on the genny. I now sail out of Montherey Bay and our afternoon winds are 10-20 knots. I am wondering if any on the post just use the standard main and jib when sailing?

[Mark Prouty]

I use the standard main and hanked-on jibs. I have 3 jib sizes. The genoa, working jib, and storm jib. You need various size jibs. This system works well; however, it is my goal to get a self-furling jib.

I want a self-furler because with a good one, the process of having to drag out a sail and hank it on would be eliminated; I could just unfurl from the cockpit. Also, the 3 sails take up a lot of valuable room inside the boat.

I've never used a self-furler, but I'd think you'd find it is the way to go. I'll be interested in seeing what expierenced self-furlers have to say.

[BK]

I just use the standard jib that came with my X. I hoist my sails in the marina but keep them in irons and motor as there is too much traffic in my marina to sail out. I do sail in though wing and wing.
I sailed against Dave Clark with his rollar furling and he seems to go about twice the speed I do. I would like to get a Genoa. Does anyone have an extra one they want to sell?

[craiglaforce]

THe first question is whether both sails are equipped for the furler (UV strip and bolt rope that fits the furler groove) or have hanks. If they are both set up for the furler, then if you are getting overpowered a lot I would suggest simply putting the standard jib on the furler.

I have done this and find it points better and it helps the overpowered issue. I still use the big genoa like a spinnaker occasionally on a long downwind run, (without putting it on the furler).

Also, of you have the CDI furler, the little "fastrak" luff cleaning and lube kit available from West Marine helps prevent the sail jamming during the hoist. Mine used to be almost impossible to hoist.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I prefer hanked-on headsails. I had RF on one of my 26X's, but I always removed it when I trailered someplace. I hank it on before I go out, but do not hoist it until I am. I have a Downhaul that keeps it on deck, or gets it back down on deck, which I sell for $50.
I sell the Genoa sold by MacGregor, for the 26X and 26M, which lists for $390, for $330. Genoa Blocks and Sheets, list of $69, for $60.
My prices include shipping to the continental U.S., by Priority Mail.

[Mark Prouty]

I have a Downhaul that keeps it on deck, or gets it back down on deck, which I sell for $50.

Hi Bill,

Can you explain this downhaul.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

3/16" line thru 2 fairleads to forestay, with an O-ring. Put top hank of headsail thru O-ring. Tighten sheets and downhaul line to keep sail on deck.
Hoist headsail, release one sheet and ease the other one.
Center sheets, release halyard, and pull downhaul line to get the sail down on deck.

[mark,97x]

on my 97x,the furler and ginny and jib cut for it stay in the shed,(not for sail"sale" as i might want to go back someday)I too sail with a hanked on jib with a downhaul,and a standard main that has had an additional reef pt. added,all lines led aft to cockpit for ease,find this a much more managable sail config. especially when trailering

[Frank C]

I learned to sail the Mac (my first sailboat) without the RF, as Mark describes. I just used a hank-on jib. Leading the halyard and downhaul to the cockpit provide a way to drop the hanked jib without going on deck. But, quite obviously, they do nothing to permit reefing the headsail. When you face frequent strong winds a roller furler is a magic solution to avoid climbing about on deck, and to reduce sail when things feel too hairy.

Eventually I bought a CDI furler and had the jib converted to a luff tape (required for mounting in the furler foil). The first few times you use the reefing/furling rig, it's like the difference between stick shift and automatic. However, you'll quickly recognize that there's never any free lunch. The furler makes raising the mast more difficult, so it's better if you don't need to rig every day you sail.

My boat is stored mast-up, so it's not such a problem for me. I definitely prefer the furler as a safety feature, and the CDI furler is fine for most. Because of frequent heavy conditions, I might choose a Harken or Schaeffer at double the price, due to their full bearings, top & bottom. If anyone is interested in buying a used CDI, with brand-new CDI foil, send a PM.

See this mod page for interesting notes on speed and instrumentation. Here's a picture of the mylar 135 Tapedrive Genoa by UK Sailmakers mounted on a CDI furler. It was a mild winter afternoon, winds at 11 mph, boatspeed at ~5 mph.

[bscott]

Frank---nice headsail---what are the specs? I have always used Harken 00 R/F because their bearings are larger, can be easily disassembled for cleaning, are stout enough to put the line in a winch, have a double luf tape and the sail is raise by a halyard. Double the price is cheap insurance to know that the Harken will rarely foul. The flex luff guide will coil on the deck without taking a set.