jeff
6 posts
Jun 10, 2008
8:13 AM
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I'm often asked about gear and improvements to the Pelican. I think the the single best piece of sailing hardware to add is a roller furler for the jib. This makes reducing sail almost instantaneous, keeps the jib wrinkle free and eliminates hauling a wet sail into the cockpit.
Think of striking the jib as your first reef. When it pipes up it's awfully nice to be able to reduce sail in a couple of seconds with the pull of a line, and when I'm single-handing (which is most of the time) it can be the difference between fun and fiasco.
Getting away from and coming into a dock or tacking up a narrow channel are much easier when you can simply roll up the jib, have one sheet to tend and gain visibility too.
The Pelican is basically a catboat with a jib on a bowsprit, so she sails well under main alone. Being able to raise and strike the jib easily makes use of that ability, makes the boat even more user friendly and just makes sense.
I particularly like the Harken #434 furler, which is what we carry in our parts catalog. Easy to install, use and has those nice bearings.
Jeff
Last Edited on 10-Jun-2008 8:22 AM
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