Furling Staysails

[popeye]

This will give you both reefing and furling capabilities!

Hi,

in my eyes I can`t see a benefit regarding the reefing capabilities because Cape Cutter is well balanced with 2 reefs in main and staysail only in heavy winds - I speak about 6 to 7 Bf - and if wind is 8 Bf and more every CC should be moored at harbour.
Furthermore I agree to that what Ru88el said. A roller reefing system don`t really suits to our nice little Cutter.

Kind regards

Frank

[Dennis]

Before you come to any conclusions, Dennis, you should sail alongside a CC19 with a furled staysail. You'll stay as you are as soon as you realise how much higher you can point.

Hello Russell

Unless I am missing something here, I do not see how The boat will point higher with a hanked on staysail than it will with a proper foil furling system around the forestay.

I agree that the performance could suffer with a separate furler fitted behind the forestay, because the luff will probably not be as tight as the forestay.

Aesthetics! now that is something else.

[Ru88ell]

I do not see how The boat will point higher with a hanked on staysail than it will with a proper foil furling system around the forestay.

My mistake. I didn't mean a foil, I meant the usual furler behind the forestay arrangement.

[Dennis]

Hi,


I remember Nick telling me that if you are using the jib in a blow, then you really want the luff as tight as poss to avoid leeway, which could be important........and as such, he'd never advocate a furling jib.

Hello all (again)

As you have possibly realised I am still chewing the cud on this issue.

I include the above quote because I have come across some photos from the original SA website which shows the first two boats (I think) "Zest" and "Relish" fitted with furling jibs.

In fact the current HM website photo page shows "Zest" both with and without roller furling jib.

Nick must have advocated a furling jib at some time!

I am not sure how this helps me!


When I eventually make a decision, I will post the result.

[Ru88ell]

I think Nick must have used a furling jib to test it out, and this backs up his statement that it causes leeway in a blow. He knew because he'd sailed both with and without.

[David Pratt]

Hello all,

I am also considering fitting furlers to my headsails. When I sailed with Mike Brookes he used Karver furlers with a continuous line. They are expensive but seemed to be very reliable and easy to fit and use. What is the consensus on not using the forestay, but the wire luff instead?

[Dennis]

Hello David

I have also pondered this question. (Replacing the forestay with the sail wire luff)

It could certainly be done using the Karver furling system, the smallest drum (Kf0.75) has a working load of 0.75 tonnes and a breaking load of 1.5 tonnes.
Even the inexpensive Barton drum has working load of 554 Kg and a breaking load of 1108 Kg which is probably more than adequate for a CC19.

What diameter wire luff would be needed?

I do not think there would be any danger if the halyard clutch was accidently released as the mast would be held by the genoa/yankee halyard/luff.

A 2 to 1 halyard block would be useful as it would double the luff tension.

[David Pratt]

Thanks for the stats Dennis. I think I will do that for next season, so that's my Birthday and Christmas presents sorted for next year!

[x-man12345]

I am happy to report that we have converted our staysail to furling.
Our local sailmaker, SKB here in Penryn, converted the sail for around £80.
I bought a Harken hi-load drum and swivel at a bargin price from this forum.
Used the haul down line on the drum. It works very well. The sail unfurls and furls in seconds. The tack is connects to the same fitting and does not interfere
with the forestay. Keeps the fore deck neat and tidy, with no trip hazards.
Very happy.
I think I will invest in a Harken unit to replace the Barton furler on the jib.
SKB are going to make us a new yankee next month. Tan to match the main and stay sails.