Deciding Between CDI FF2 and FF4

[cfelle2]

I am adding a CDI roller furling to my 1981 CP-23.  It looks like the CP-23 could use the FF2 or the FF4 based on specs. 
I am looking for input from those of you who have a CDI furler on your CP-23.  Which one do you have and are you happy with it?

Thanks Chris

[brackish]

I have the FF2.  I am very happy with it.  It works flawlessly.  Not sure what advantage you would get for spending the extra money on the FF4.  If you want to spend extra money you might just move up to a Profurl or a Harken. 

The only weak point with CDI furlers is that when you tension the luff of the sail, you are actually trying to put the foil in compression.  So luff tension is somewhat limited but I've found it to be acceptable.  You don't avoid that weakness by moving up to the FF4.

[SpeakEasy]

I have the FF2 and, like brackish, I have found it to work flawlessly.

One thing to be aware of: If you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions to the letter, you'll probably need to replace your forestay. The manufacturer says you need a (sorry I don't know the technical "sailing term" for this) double-pronged end on the top of your forestay. Mine was single. It was a surprise to me in the midst of the installation to discover this. Getting a new, custom, forestay in the middle of the job was not possible. Not to mention that the nearest outfitter that could do it was over an hour's drive away from me. I talked to the manufacturer by phone about this issue to find out what the deal was. It boils down to a legal issue. If you don't follow their instructions and you end up with a broken stay, they are covered. There is some rotational stress put on the forestay every time you furl and unfurl, so they want you to have the extra strength from the double-pronged thingy-ma-bob. (Sorry; I know I'm a crappy sailor for not knowing the name of the part. Give me the appropriate number of lashes, or keelhaul me, or whatever.)

-Speak

[LConrad]

I am planning to retire my CDI in hopes of getting better luff tension control. It has worked pretty well for what it is. The Schaefer Snap furl looked intersting at Strictly Sail. It allows luff tensioning with the jib halyard, but remains flexible with the snap-on PVC. The PVC snaps around the stay. Aluminum extrusions are not very flexible for people who raise and lower the mast often.

http://www.furling.com/snapfurl.html

It would be great to hear from others on this issue. Has anybody replaced CDI and noticed performance improvement? Any experience with Snapfurl?

[DougN]

I've had the Snapfurl for over ten years and have been very happy with it.We have two cp23's on the river, My friends has a Harken,raising and lowering the mast is way less stressful with the Snapfurl.Practical Sailors review of the Snapfurl is what made me decide to go with Shafer.

[cfelle2]

Thanks to everyone for your responses.  I think I will go ahead and order the FF2.

Chris