Fitting Out

[David VanDenburgh]

Ariel went into the water on June 5, neither late nor early according to our past performance. We stored mast-down this winter since we added roller furlers to the jib and staysail. We bought Spin-Tec at the Strictly Sail Boat Show in Chicago; they are known for their simplicity, and rugged durability. I'm still in shock: I never thought I would install roller furling on my boat. The ability to make or hand sail without having to venture onto the foredeck has become increasingly important to this aging body. It will also be nice to go for a daysail without a lot of sweat.

We also added a tri-color masthead light to increase our visibility at night.

Now we are learning how to tune the rig with the roller furlers.

[David VanDenburgh]

After a week of sailing with the furlers, they are a "go". We have to make a small change to the attachment points for the furling lines. It's nice not to have to go forward if I don't want to. And it's faster to get sailing - with less work.

[Doug]

Hi David, I too never thought I would have roller furling. I generally helm our boat while we alter sail configurations, so my wife was always up on deck lowering the yankee when the wind picked up - a few years ago she had a sore shoulder so I went up in fairly rough seas to drop the yankee, and as we nosed into a deeper than usual trough the tip of the bowsprit buried itself in solid water and I was soaked to the knees. When I finally got back to the cockpit I said that's it, we're getting a furler! We also chose a Spin-Tec, and absolutely love it. Almost friction free, never jams or catches on anything, and gives you a spare halyard too. Enjoy.

[Terri]

Sounds like she'll be easier to handle and nice not to have to go forward on a pitching deck when u ain't nineteen anymore! Fair Winds! Terri