Roller furling jib

I'm just wondering why it is necessary for the roller furling jib to be smaller than the normal jib? what is the reason for cutting down the normal jib? Does it not roll properly?

I have acquired a roller furler, and I would love to use it, but I don't really want to buy another jib.

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Marcus
H16
Narragansett Bay, RI

Also, does anyone know the dimensions of the roller furling jib?

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Marcus
H16
Narragansett Bay, RI

If you have ever sailed a standard rigged 16 with out the battens in the jib you would know why. No matter how tight you sheer the jib it's leech will flutter away. The standard jib really needs those battens. I imagine you could use your current jib, you'd just have to get used to a constant fluttering noise whenever your sailing closehauled.

Matt G
Hobie 16 SN#1960
Burbank CA

Just an update. I rigged my furler over the weekend with the standard jib, and I finally got out to try it yesterday. The jib flew fine at all points of sail except when I really pinched it. The leech would flutter when I sailed really close to the wind. I'm going to try it out a few more times, but I think I will leave it on unless I intend to race, and then I'll throw tha battens back in.

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Marcus
H16
Narragansett Bay, RI

Did you ever cut down your jib????

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•Present boat -1998 Hobie 16 Solana Sails furling jib[/size]

When I bought my boat, the jib did not have any battens. The previous owner, who kept it 3 years did not get battens either when he bought it.

Long story short, I had to get the jib patches as it was starting to tear by the clew plate from the fluttering. The repair was cheap and I got battens for it.

For the experts, to cut the jib for a furler, is it as simple as drawing a straight line from the head to the clew and have a loft cut it and do a finished edge there? If that's the case, I can't imagine it would cost a fortune to cut the jib.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

I think that's really all there is to it. You may want to cut the leech slightly concave (hollow) to help avoid fluttering. But I can't imagine a sail loft doing anything more than what you've described. Trim it, fold it over for the hem, and stitch it. If you have access to a sewing machine and are remotely handy, you should be able to do it yourself.

sm

Here's something to give you a visual:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1052690684 ... 6113827698

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'