Riggers will tell you CDI are a piece of crap only because they hate
installing them. In actuality, users seem to like them.
Gordon
"Jere Lull" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Don W wrote:

We're going to purchase a new headsail roller furler for our Irwin C
38, and know very little about the pluses and minuses of the various
units.

Which units are the best for long term cruising, considering overall
quality of construction, and ease of repair if something does go
wrong?

Right now, we're looking at Harken, Profurl, and Alado Nautica. Are
there other brands we should consider?

If you consider price, ease of maintenance, longevity in a salt water
environment, etc, which unit do you think is the best overall value?

I put CDI Flexible Furlers on our last two boats. We've had zero
problems in over two decades' use. They've always dealt fairly with me,
even recommending against my buying something they didn't think was
appropriate for our application.
http://www.sailcdi.com/ffmain.htm

Dead simple, nearly fool- and bullet-proof and easy to use, with
virtually nothing to go wrong, particularly for cruisers.

Their warrantee tells it all "[includes] All hazards at sea, including
winching against obstructions, unseamanlike use, and dismastings. This
warranty remains in force for charter and other commercial operations.
No maintenance is required to keep the warranty in force.". [Hmmm, used
to be a lifetime warrantee, but I can read between the lines to what
people have done and tried to claim.]

It won't allow racing-speed sail changes, but that's not a consideration
for cruisers. We choose a sail in the morning and keep it up the rest of
the day, furling if necessary.

That it's also probably the least expensive in that size is an
additional plus. I installed both, BTW. Was trivial except for the
measurement.

Note: If you get the FF9, I suggest ordering it direct from them,
uncoiled, as even the FF6/7 is a BEAR to straighten. If you get the 7,
get the 6' coil and straighten it immediately upon receipt. You'll
probably want the bearing, though we haven't needed it as I have only
winched it in once. It rolls so easily that a simple tug on the line
does it.

--
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/