CDI FF2 question

[Davo]

I've never used a furler before but my 23 that came with one has one.  The boat is at the storage lot and I haven't had time to really check out the rigging, but I have the FF2 setup at home in my shed and it has the bottom turnbuckle bolt in the stainless cup, but there is no stainless cable coming out of the top of the pvc furler extrusion (I thought it was all one big system from masthead to bow that replaces the actual headstay), would the actual headstay be on the mast still attached to the mast head meaning that I can actually just take the turnbuckle bolt out of the roller cup and rig up the headstay up without the FF2 system (assuming the turnbuckle can be located, I don't think it's with the furler gear in my shed)?  For some reason I thought that the FF2 required a new or modified headstay.  Really, I'd like to just have a simple headstay and hank on jib and am trying to find out if I need to go make or order one or if I "should" already have what I need to get the mast up without dealing with the furler.

[bob lamb]

The standard headstay works with the furler. I had to replace a broken stay after an encounter with a tree at a ramp!

[brackish]

If you go to the CDI website they have installation instructions with a cutaway diagram of how the headstay is incorporated in the furler.

[Davo]

great, thanks for the verification, I thought that might be the case and some of the instructions basically said the same...so uh, anyone interested in a CDI FF2 system?

[SpeakEasy]

great, thanks for the verification, I thought that might be the case and some of the instructions basically said the same...so uh, anyone interested in a CDI FF2 system?

Wish I had seen this a year ago! I paid several hundred for a new one last year. Wouldn't have a boat without a roller furler after having had one. Why do you want to get rid of it?

-Speak

[DaveE]

Why do you want to get rid of it?  Great question.  I can't think of very much that I like less than bouncing around on the bow of a non racing boat, while changing a sail in a storm. (or any other weather for that matter)  Of course, I am 76. 

[Bob23]

Davo:
   It's really pretty easy. My 23 came with the CDI and last winter I dissassebled it to check the head stay for any hidden damage, of which there was none. If you have to buy a headstay anyway, why not use the furler? I'd agree with Speak and DaveE on this one. Sure, setting it up takes a bit of time but once it's set up, it's simple. Plus, it's nice to be able to reduce the head sail easily and also be able to strike it completely in the event of a squal. But, to each his own.
   Maybe your headstay is still on the mast and the previous owner never set up the CDI.
Best,
Bob23 in NJ
btw, any photos of your yacht?

[Davo]

Okay,

I have had the chance to start rigging up the boat, everything looks good, I went ahead and kept the furler and got it set up (kinda) and I'll use it this season instead of searching around to trade or buy a hank on sail.  I really need to get on the water since the season has started here.  The boat has a baby stay and a storm sail for the inner stay that I am excited to rig up and try out in some rough weather too (the baby stay is actually where the original headstay attached in the stock location).  The furler fits on the stay as is, which clears up the issue of whether or not the furler was on this boat or the PO's other boats and just eventually ended up with all of the extra gear I got when I bought this one.  The bowspirit is the PO's addition and it looks pretty decent and should work, I got a bow pulpit that is obviously from some other boat and I had to chop the mounting plate in front to get it to fit around the anchor roller hardware (this pulpit is new or from another boat, but came with the purchase, was never installed by the PO).  Here's a pic or two, showing what I have to work with (DISCLAIMER, I know the drum is backwards on the furler, oops, but we raised the mast right as it was getting dark and I just wanted it up, I'll go back and fix it ALSO, please excuse the mess of lines!  Some are just cheap 100' lengths of Lowe's poly rope in place until my ordered halyards get in and I can zip them on using the poly as messenger lines.)





Bob23, I'll take a ton of pics when I get all rigged up and on the water, it's still a work in progress right now, but getting there!

[Bob23]

Davo:
   I like the bowsprit which is longer than the factory. That should lessen the weather helm that seems to be inherent in our 23's. What  year and # is your 23? I'm 1985 #321.
   btw, I like that classic old powerboat in the second photo.
bob23

[Davo]

Davo:
   I like the bowsprit which is longer than the factory. That should lessen the weather helm that seems to be inherent in our 23's. What  year and # is your 23? I'm 1985 #321.
   btw, I like that classic old powerboat in the second photo.
bob23

From the title I deciphered hull # 228, it's a 1983, last year before the factory bowspirit if I did my research correctly.  Sadly for the powerboat, it has been abandoned, full of old tires and rotten plywood, last sticker was 2008   I'm actually surprised the city hasn't towed it off yet, as I can't assume someone is paying to keep it there in that state.