Ronstan RF-1246 Free Furler

[TJ]

Has anyone used the RF-1246 Ronstan Free Furler.  I need to replace the Schaefer Free Furler that came with my 19, Schaefer no longer makes it but it is the exact same furler as the RF-76 Ronstan, which is not recommended for the 19 but is almost the same dimensions as the RF-1246.  Thanks!  tj

[Salty19]

Thought those are intended for fractional rig dinghies with wire luff jibs. I personally would not use it on a 19 but rather a furler with a foil.
Just my opinion..

[TJ]

The RF 1246 is for boats up to 25'.  You are right, the foil is better but I already have this system with excellent sail and new sacrificial cloth and a bride that thinks I have already invested too much.  tj 

[Salty19]

Well, The Admiral does have final say!

Are you removing the forestay and using the sail luff as the stay or mounting it behind the stay, leaving the forestay intact?

Note that you cannot reef that setup.  The sail is either all the in or out. 

[TJ]

Just bought the 19 and sold my 16 the first of the year, took me this long to get it ready and check things out.  I am mounting behind the forestay, she came that way, just a small headsail (probably 110) only comes back to mast or just beyond.  Mainly just don't want to go forward while I am out by myself, (still recovering from stem cell transplant) but still want to go sailing.  If it looks like I am going to need to reef I will head in for the next year or so.  Did not know that you could not reef this system though, thanks, never had a furling system.  tj

[Salty19]

Oh, that's right...sorry you had to repeat yourself from the other post.

The CP19 is pretty stable.  You'll be absolutely fine with a 110 even in pretty strong winds.  If you need to reef, do the main instead. 

Looking forward to hearing about your adventures with the new boat!

[TJ]

Already loving it like you said I would!  Thanks,  tj

[Potcake boy]

TJ,

Is that your boat in the pictures with the multi colored nylon head sail ( drifter or code 0)? That is what those foiless furlers are really intended for. Does your jib have a wire or torque rope in the luff? I have seen small boats use that system for ease of handling the head sail when there is very little foredeck to work on in big seas, and you need to douse the jib in a hurry. IMO the 19 (I owned one and sailed it a lot) is pushing the limit for that type of furler. Because of being trailable most of the smaller Com Pacs are using CDI furlers with a flexible foil to make raising and lowering the mast a bit simpler. Schaefer makes a flexible foil furler called "Snap Furl" it can be installed without even removing the forestay, but unlike the CDI it uses your jib halyard to hoist the jib. So if you trailer a lot, the CDI may be a better choice as you can leave your jib bent and still use the jib halyard to raise and lower your mast.

Just don't get so focused on the gear that you don't enjoy the boat.

Ron

[TJ]

Thanks for the information Ron, I don't have much of a jib, looks like a 110, I haven't had the boat out yet, probably don't need much of a furler, but as you said, I'm focusing on the sailing, planning on going out Tuesday when I finish rigging for a shakedown trip to get the bugs out, then plan on taking several short trips over the summer.  I keep the boat in a slip in Oriental, NC.  Can't think of a better way to spend time, and a lot of water to cover around the Neuse River, Pamlico River, and Pamlico Sound and I think the 19 will handle it with good judgment!   tj

[Potcake boy]

Sorry TJ, I didn't know what I was looking at the picture I was viewing is Saltys boat.

The Outer Banks is a super place to sail. Way back when I had my first boat - a Com Pac 16 - my wife and I trailed it to Manteo and had a wonderful week there. Nags Head was also a favorite vacation spot for our young family in later years. The peace and calm there seemed magic.

Ron

[Duckie]

I rigged a simple downhaul for the jib on my Weekender.  It works like a dream even in very high winds.  I had my boat out the other day in gusts as high as 25 mph and being able to douse the jib from the cockpit was way cool.  I have found that my CP 16 sails pretty well on main alone, so in a pinch I don't hesitate to knock down the jib and carry on.

Al