Length of line for roller furling line

[HeaveToo]

I have the CDI flex Furler.  What is the length and size of the line that you use for the furling line? 

[Jim23]

Here's a paragraph out of the FF2 manual from CDI's website. The length will depend on the headsail size. The Sailwarehouse sell's a furling kit for the FF2, boats up to 25' that includes 54' of 1/4" line.

"The system is designed for 5/32" or 3/16" dacron line.
Make sure you have enough to completely furl your largest
sail plus about five extra turns. This will allow you to furl an
extra tight furl in heavy winds and still have a couple of
turns left. Before hoisting the sail for the first time, wind
about twenty turns on the spool. Turns can be added or
subtracted as necessary after setting the sail."

[NateD]

I bought new line for my CDI a few years ago, but I can't remember the exact length. I do know I bought it longer than I thought it had to be, then got the sail furled the way I wanted (in strong wind, with a few wraps of the sheet around it), then I cut a few extra feet off the new furling line. The length of line will also depend on where you cleat it off at. Mine was cleated at the aft end of the cockpit, and I think I ordered either 45' or 50' of line. For the cost per foot of small diameter line, order it extra long and trim it after it is installed and you'll find a use for the extra line somewhere else.

[brackish]

I used 3/16", any smaller and it is uncomfortable in your hands. 

Roll on about twenty turns.  run the line through your furling system blocks to your cleat point  make sure there is enough line to come back forward to your halyard winch, it helps to be able to take a turn or two around it when furling in heavy winds.  Halyard winch is the best because you are facing forward while furling and can see the sail and sheet.  Then put your largest jib on the furler.  Roll it up which will pull turns off of the furler.  When it is fully furled with sheet wraps if you want some, check your drum, there should be a few turns left on the drum.  If not add some turns. Do all this on a calm day, life will be easier

Hard to give an exact length, boats have different routings from the drum to the cockpit, just measure one turn on the drum times twenty then measure the routing through your system back to the winch with enough left over for you to stand back and pull.  Buy a little too much, you can always use the line for something.

[HeaveToo]

Thanks for the replies.  I was beginning to wonder if buying 60 feet is overkill.  It sounds like it is close to right!  I always buy too much line so that I can cut it down.  There are always good uses for the left over bits!

[MacGyver]

I typically setup a boat with about 2.5 to 3 times the boat length. Then tell the customer to knot off and we can cut the little bit left. I did one one time and it ended up being EXACTLY what they needed........ PHEW!!

Mac