Merry Xmas all.... hoping you can help again!
I have the chance to buy a secondhand furler for the headsail (despite wifey's pleas of: why do you need it now?)
Price is $500, brand unknown at the moment however I do know it came of a 32ft yacht.
Mine is a 26ft Endeavour.
I've read online that dependant on the brand, some furlers can easily be reduced to fit a smaller boat...would I be correct in this assumption? If not (ie it's not a brand that is easily reduced) could I take it to a rigger for reduction?

Thanks again in advance,

Mark
Marionette: Endeavour 26

Some furlers are simply a drum for the furling line and a conduit that fits over the fore stay with a track for the sails bolt rope, this type is easily adapted. The other basic type has a swivel at the top and the fore stay spins around. Either way I imagine you will be replacing your fore stay

Likewise seasons greetings. Do you really need a furler? Sail shape inherently deteriorates when the furler bulks up at the luff when the sail is furled, resulting in less speed and lower pointing angle upwind. If you have average condition no1 genoa, 2 jib and 3 jib with hanks that should suit? Realise they are good for single handed sailing but when I go out alone I am conservative with jib selection (and only go out on "steady and predictable" wind days) so as to sail with the one genoa or jib for the duration of the trip which is usually 4 to 6 hours.

Marionette
I have a furler and wouldn't be without it, however it came with the boat and the sails were cut to suit.
The foot of my No.1 on my E26 sat hard on the deck restricting the amount of breeze that could get under the sail, more efficient, it was cut that way by Ian Short, if your No. 1 has been cut the same you'll loose a lot of sail area recutting to suit a furler. Also cost $$$
Why was this furler removed from the 32footer?
Just something to consider, its your boat do with it what suits you.
Mike

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Magpiemike said..
Marionette
I have a furler and wouldn't be without it, however it came with the boat and the sails were cut to suit.
The foot of my No.1 on my E26 sat hard on the deck restricting the amount of breeze that could get under the sail, more efficient, it was cut that way by Ian Short, if your No. 1 has been cut the same you'll loose a lot of sail area recutting to suit a furler. Also cost $$$
Why was this furler removed from the 32footer?
Just something to consider, its your boat do with it what suits you.
Mike

I believe the seller changed mast, sails, boom etc hence all were for sale on FB. Yes it would end up costing alot more $$$ in the end so I've decided to not go ahead with it but thank you for getting back to me
Mark.

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r13 said..
Likewise seasons greetings. Do you really need a furler? Sail shape inherently deteriorates when the furler bulks up at the luff when the sail is furled, resulting in less speed and lower pointing angle upwind. If you have average condition no1 genoa, 2 jib and 3 jib with hanks that should suit? Realise they are good for single handed sailing but when I go out alone I am conservative with jib selection (and only go out on "steady and predictable" wind days) so as to sail with the one genoa or jib for the duration of the trip which is usually 4 to 6 hours.

Hi r13,
I have read that about sail shape and performance with a furler as well, and your experiences with single handing are similar to my plans hence I've decided to not go ahead with the furler. It was an impulse buy for a good price however not realistically needed, and in the time since I posted the question I've successfully fixed all the corroded hanks (vinegar & hot water). They're all Bainbridge Swedish #1 hanks & are still working perfectly after 20-40 years. Amazing.
Planning ahead conservatively on a solo day is the way to go on any day too
I know everyone has a personal preference and there are indeed a smaller minority that prefer the inherent simplicity of hanked on headsails so I think I'll consider myself in that group for now

I'm also taking some friends out during 2023 who've done a sailing course however the school's boats had furlers for main & head. I'd like them to learn what it's like sailing on a boat that they might realistically own such as mine, as opposed to a late model 36ft with all the modern conveniences

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woko said..
Some furlers are simply a drum for the furling line and a conduit that fits over the fore stay with a track for the sails bolt rope, this type is easily adapted. The other basic type has a swivel at the top and the fore stay spins around. Either way I imagine you will be replacing your fore stay

Hi Woko,

Cheers for the info! The furler in question was the latter type and I would indeed be changing the forestay however in a moment of unusual restraint and wisdom I've decided to keep the foresail rigging as it is, hanked on.
Merry Xmas too!
Mark.

Fit a downhaul on the jib if you already don't have one. Nearly all the advantages of a furler except reefing, and as been said, a reefed headsail is not very efficient. If you are sailing often, then a deck bag for the jib is easy to make.

Simon Curwen is the first competitor in the Golden Globe race through the Hobart gate today with his twin headsail furlers. Kirstin is 100 miles astern. She has the genoa on a furler and the working headsail on hanks.