Put me down as pro furling

Posted By: John Turpin, P-15 "Tetra", Edmond, OK
Date: 10/15/08 1:08p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

Katie, Tetra and I have been in conditions where "rolling up" half the lapper saved my bacon. It's amazing how just a few turns on the furler depowers the boat. I'd not like to sail without one. I did, however, make a change this year away from the IM standard configuration. Typically, the factory runs the furling line down the starboard gunwale through a fairlead back to a cleat on the starboard cabin side. I've found that dangerous in stormy conditions. When on starboard tack, it's fine. From the starboard bench, I can easily reach that cleat to furl in (or out) the headsail. But, when on port tack, that cleat cannot be reached without me scrambling down to the leeward side of the boat so I can reach around the edge of the cabin. I don't remember this being a big deal on my P-19, Beowulf, but switching to the leeward side on a P-15 in windy conditions can bring very nasty consequences. Trust me on this. So, I've done some line rerouting. First of all, I dumped the thin 1/8" CDI furling line that cuts fingers like piano wire when heaving on a wind-filled lapper. I went to Sampson 1/4" XLS line that is finger friendly, and still thin enough for the CDI drum (at least for the line lengths needed for the P-15). Then, instead of running that line down the starboard side, my furling line runs roughly amidships, up over the cabin top, and to a rope clutch next to the hatch. Now, I can reach that furling line from either bench. Dandy.