RE: catalina27-talk: Single-handing RF

[Phil Agur]

Hi Jim,   The “some tension” needed is very light otherwise you won’t have enough strength to pull the furler line, which is never winched.   Anytime someone buys a roller furling rig and then mentions “reefing” I think it’s important to point out that most roller furling headsails don’t reef. Well maybe by 10% or so before the shape gets to bad but soon after that the shape can start getting dangerous.   The ability to roller reef is almost all in the sail design. The sails are cut flatter and then a tapered pad is added to the luff so as the sail rolls the padded center flattens the sail more. Hild Sails use to make such a sail with a very honest sounding name, they called it the 10-40 regulator. The name reference its effective wind speeds.   Phil Agur                    s/v Wing Tip Commodore,             Call Sign WCW3485 IC27/270A                   MMSI 366901790 www.catalina27.org      Vessel Doc# 1039809 -----Original Message----- From: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com [mailto:catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com] On Behalf Of James Calleran Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 8:26 PM To: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com Subject: catalina27-talk: Single-handing RF   Merry Christmas Listees,     I am anticipating adding a roller furling rig and new genny for next season.  I do not have self-tailing winches.  How do I smoothly roll up the genny while single-handing?  I am assuming that, to properly roll the genny, one needs to keep some tension on the windward sheet - especially when reefing as opposed to furling.  Or, do you simply head up, let the genny luff (flog?) and crank her in as best you can?     Thanks for descriptions of your technique; and, have a Happy New Year. Jim Calleran, BayBird, C27 #2784 Mathews Yacht Club, VA     Yahoo! Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping