I sail a Cape Dory 28 sloop with hanked-on foresails: 150 Genny, 145
Drifter, and a 80 club footed jib. I'm happy with this arrangement
primarily for its simplicity and reliability. The club footed jib is
self tacking so it's easy to handle. If there's enough wind it's great
especially when single handing. I'm not constantly changing sails and
don't mind going to the foredeck to do it. I can douse the foresail
completely from the cockpit because the halyard and downhaul are there.

Despite the popularity of roller furling I've stayed away from it for 3
reasons:
1) They can fail. I dread the thought of a mechanical failure with a
partially furled headsail when it's really blowing.
2) I hear that changing headsails under way is so difficult, it's not
done. People are installing removable inner forestays so they can hank
on smaller or storm sails.
3) I was happy with what I had.

Now I'm reconsidering for 2 reasons:
1) A friend wants to partner with me on this boat and he doesn't want to
be on the foredeck; he wants roller furling.
2) I'm 65 and who knows how much longer I'll be able to go foward in
safety. If roller furling will extend my cruising life it would be a
good thing.

So here is my question: Is it practical to change headsails underway?

My drifter has a wire luff and although it has hanks can be flown free.
If I got roller furling I'd probably get a new #1 genny (135 rather
than 150 and with a higher clew). I'd also replace the jib hanks with tape.

Would having a dual groove extrusion make it significantly easier?
(doing that racer's peel thing). I was thinking about a CDI FF7 or a
Profurl R25 both have good reputations. I expect that the FF7 with its
single groove and internal halyard would make sail changes impractical;
is that so? Does the Profurl allow for easy sail changes?

Jack
s/v SeaBelle Rockland, ME