single vs continuous line furling

[deniseO30]

I've never used one of those with the large wheel continuous loop line furling systems. I thought, they are pretty slick and have allot less effort to roll in the head sail. it's seems they are not so slick for reefing the sail and only favored by racers?
I've a older Hood model available to me if I want it for nothing, I'm just wondering if it's worth the what I'd be getting it for. Thoughts?

[jackdale]

I have used the Hood system. Not a big fan; you have to maintain tension on the lazy portion of the line to get a proper furl. That usually means a two person job.

[tommays]

I think most people here want some abilty to reef the headsail VS just furling it

[arf145]

I have an old Hood furler on my 28 footer and we do reef with it. I would much rather have a single line furler though. We head up to reduce pressure and I've never had it slip even when mainly pulling on the loaded side. But that loop hanging around the cockpit is just looking to cause mischief.

[ScubaSailorLA]

Some tension has to be kept on the slack portion of the continuous loop to keep it from jamming in the blocks. As was stated above, it makes furling the sail a two person job. I just replaced the old Hood furler on my O'Day 31, with a new Harken. I love the new one. I suppose if someone were giving me a continuous line system, I might consider it if it were the only way i could get a furler. Otherwise, I would avoid it.

[PalmettoSailor]

I removed one from my C36. I wouldn't have one even if it was free. There used to be a conversion drum available, but as of about a year ago they only offer a credit. You might see hoe the money would work out. I cose to go with a Profurl and I'm much happier with it than the Hood unit.

[JimsCAL]

I've seen too many sails unfurl in a storm while on a mooring as the line slipped on the drum from the vibration and shaking, resulting in major sail damage. One guy in my club has taken to raising a sock over his furled genny to avoid this from happening (again). I wouldn't take one for free.

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by arf145

I have an old Hood furler on my 28 footer and we do reef with it. I would much rather have a single line furler though. We head up to reduce pressure and I've never had it slip even when mainly pulling on the loaded side. But that loop hanging around the cockpit is just looking to cause mischief.

I've not used one of the continuous line furlers so this is just speculation on my part but I do believe that "reefing" with one is not a dependable situation to be in, you should either have the sail all the way out or all the way in. It seems to me there is insufficient tension on the line to hold a sail for a indeterminate time under pressure. As I say, just a detached observation, not an informed opinion.

If my powers of observation are any good, I would say these are best suited to storm sails or sails on a removable stay (code 0's, gennakers, etc) where the sail is furled and the stay is dropped to the deck and put away with the sail and furler in one. If you have the footage, watch how the crew managed their head-sails on those monster multis in the last America's Cup racing.

[deniseO30]

thank you all! Decision made.. I'll save my pennies for a new single line furler.