Re: [Cal_Boats] genoa furlers

Reggie, we had the CDI Flexible Furler on our old CAL 21, ours didn't have the ball-bearing option, but instead had a Teflon/delrin "bearing" that is rotated on. Seemed to work well, and the ball-bearing version is supposed to be even better. We always kept tension on the jibsheet while furling to get a good, tight furl. yet the drum rotated easily as I recall. Again, the ball-bearing version should work even easier (might even work "TOO" easy.) A friend of mine had an CDI FF on his O'DAY 27, I think he had the ball-bearing option, and he couldn't say enough good about it. If the rest of your furler is in good shape, and if it has worked out fine for your needs/wants, then it would be well worth upgrading your older CDI Reefer with the newer drum and bearing assembly. I would say that if it didn't work to upgrade, CDI would certainly not offer the option.....but would instead try to sell you a totally new Flexible Furler. My $0.02 worth! Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:12:11 -0700 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: I currently have an old Cruising Design (CDI) "Reefer" furling system on "Submit". thesewere solic extrusion systems, not the flexible foil CDI uses now. The Reefer system used a lower unit without bearings. It was plastic on plastic bearing surface with graphite for lubricant. Ours has worn down. there are no replacement parts for the drum and bearing assembly any more. However, they offer an upgrade to their new drum and bearing system to convert the old system. Does anyone have any experience with the newwer ball bearing CDI systems? CDI says the upgrade would give me a system quite appropriate for my boat. The extrusions, etc., on my system are OK. I need to upgrade or replace the furler. Several hundred dollars for the upgrade is way more appealing then $2000 plus for a new system, but sometimes I, like others, can be penny wise and pound foolish. Any and all input appreciated. Reggie Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat! http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210