So, why dont headsail furler manufacturers market their furlers as able
to easily have head sails changed? Why do they make furlers where
easy sail changes are not possible? If it simply isnt possible to make
a single sail that can efficiently handle being furled a lot, why not
live with that and assume users will have two headsails. Somewhere in
this is a missing opportunity but I cannot see it yet.

In . com writes:

So, why dont headsail furler manufacturers market their furlers as able
to easily have head sails changed? Why do they make furlers where
easy sail changes are not possible? If it simply isnt possible to make
a single sail that can efficiently handle being furled a lot, why not
live with that and assume users will have two headsails. Somewhere in
this is a missing opportunity but I cannot see it yet.

The business opportunity is to sell several furlers, perhaps you have
noticed that people have startet to use more than one furling head sail.
Onver for reaching and light wind and the other for beating and heavier
winds.

- Lauri Tarkkonen

I see that as sort of inelegant. I remember the Practical Sailor
editor remarking about their around the world cruise while thye were in
the Caribbean that they wished they had chosen a smaller furling sail
instead of a 130. So, why not have a furler where it is easily changed
and simply have two sails?

wrote in message
ps.com...
I see that as sort of inelegant. I remember the Practical Sailor
editor remarking about their around the world cruise while thye were in
the Caribbean that they wished they had chosen a smaller furling sail
instead of a 130. So, why not have a furler where it is easily changed
and simply have two sails?

I completely agree with you. Depending on the wind, I would change from a
130 to a Yankee and vice versa without trouble. Although I found the Yankee
to be superior in providing visibility, I would change to the 130 in order
to increase my speed. However, I really wasn't in a hurry to get somewhere.
Yet, over a thousand miles a half a knot increase in speed can be
significant, at least in terms of time of arrival.

My boat has a Goiot furler with two sail tracks.

Simply pull down the 130 and hoist the 90

or...

Fly them both downwind (although I've never done this)

Mike.

In article . com,
wrote:

So, why dont headsail furler manufacturers market their furlers as able
to easily have head sails changed? Why do they make furlers where
easy sail changes are not possible? If it simply isnt possible to make
a single sail that can efficiently handle being furled a lot, why not
live with that and assume users will have two headsails. Somewhere in
this is a missing opportunity but I cannot see it yet.

There ARE furlers suited to easy sail changes. Racers use them. They are
expensive.

No, the CDI (and I believe all plastic furlers) isn't suited for quick
changes. BUT it does everything else well; and sail changes can be done,
just not as easily and quickly as units costing twice as much (or more).

Difficult (or less easy) isn't the same as impossible.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/