Roller Furler

[Bristol14]

I'm having a great time sailing Mudlark, my new-to-me 1987 Com-Pac 23-2 but I can't completely unfurl my jib. It's probably a 115 or 125% jib but I can barely get to about 90 or 100%. My son was able to unfurl it almost completely by rotating the furler by hand but it was difficult. Plus, when it came time to roll it up, the furler was stuck and we had to start it by hand. I've read that the furling line needs to be feeding at 90 degrees to the drum, so I adjusted for that. I also read that the furler can get twisted and stuck at the top of the mast, but it looks ok to me. Also, the furling line looks to be the right diameter.

The furler unit looks pretty old, maybe original, but the identification label is missing. Is it a CDI unit or another brand? Ideas what might be wrong and/or suggestions on how to fix it?

Thx

[nicktulloh]

Looks like a CDI - probably an FF2.

Do you have this?

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/909642/Cdi-Flexible-Furler-2.html?page=10#manual

Nick

[Bristol14]

Thx, I've looked at the CDI manual, but my furler looks a bit different, e.g. the drum isn't partially open/exposed, maybe because it's an older model?

[Bob23]

That doesn't look like my FF2.
Bob23

[NateD]

There may be multiple problems, but it sure looks like the furling line diameter is too big. Maybe your drum is "filling up" before the whole sail is rolled out?

It doesn't look exactly like the CDI furlers I've had, but it might be an early design.

[Bristol14]

I measured the furling line before my Sunday sail and it is 5/16". If it's a CDI furler, it's supposed to be 5/32 or 3/16. I also checked the drum with the jib fully furled, and clearly it's full so it's likely the cause of the issue I'm having.

I assumed the previous owner had been using the right size, but apparently not. I'll probably go with 3/16, though it seems pretty thin to handle. Looks like it's easy to replace and thread the new line onto the Furler.

Thx for suggesting the line size might be the problem.

[Bob23]

5/16"is definitely too big. Mine is either 5/32 or 3/16...I'm thinking 5/32. While I agree the thin line isn't comfy to handle, you're only pulling it in to roll up the sail. Even with the thin line, my drum is full when the sail is unfurled.
Bob23

[Bristol14]

5/32"  line did the trick, thanks again for the suggestions!

[chimerakc]

While I have roller furler thread here - my problem with my pretty new Shaefer Snapfurl furler is the line gets wrapped into itself too tight when I start to pull the sail in.  This is a one year old furler and I just put new 1/4" line on.

I can jerk it out with some tough pulling with this smaller line than was on there.  Not fun.  Any thoughts?