[C320-list] In Boom Furler

[Andrew Santangelo]

Hello Peter,

We installed a Balmer Alternator with external regulator and Link  
Monitor.  I believe it was an 85 Amp unit.  Either way - HUGE  
difference in battery charging time, i.e. one hour of running the  
engine to fully charge a low batter bank.  This was an excellent  
investment.

The hydraulic back-stay is a NavTec Unit.

Hope this helps!

Best Regards,
Andrew Santangelo
#333   C320 Dawn Treader


On Oct 14, 2008, at 3:49 PM, Peter & Barbara Sheerin wrote:

> Hi Andrew, Noted your interesting comments on upgrades  recommended.  
> What amp size alternator did you install?
> Back stay adjuster what type/supplier? Thanks Peter Sheerin #1096
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Santangelo" <andrew_santangelo at mac.com 
> >
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:25 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] In Boom Furler
>
>
>> Hello Brian,
>>
>> I do not know if this will help, but here is my 2-bits worth.
>>
>> Personally, I have avoided any furling system for my main sail.   
>> Key reason - loss of performance.  You will lose at least 20% in   
>> performance - ugh!
>>
>> Of course the key is ease of packing the main sail, but the loss of  
>> sailing performance out weighs the gain in quick sail storage.   
>> (note  - I opted out of the Dutchman system with my boat when I  
>> also upgraded  to a UK Gold Tape Drive Main sail with loose foot).   
>> If loss of  performance is not an issue, then you might consider  
>> it, but other  goodies I would consider higher on the list  
>> (assuming you have not  done this yet):
>>
>> * Upgrade electrical system (high amp alternator/Link System/ 
>> Starting Battery)
>> * Upgrade electronics
>> * Autoprop folding prop
>> * Better sails
>> * Inflatable safety harnesses for everyone
>>
>> If racing, other goodies:
>> * Spinnaker set-up (kids also have fun with the Spinnaker).
>> * Hydraulic backstay adjuster
>> * New Keel (yeah I replaced my wing keel with a fin keel - A  
>> PROFOUND performance improvement).
>> * Lots of racing sails
>>
>> Sorry in advance if this is not the answer you want.
>>
>> Best Regards,
>> Andrew Santangelo
>> #333   C320 Dawn Treader
>>
>>
>> On Oct 14, 2008, at 2:53 PM, Amirault Family - S&B wrote:
>>
>>> Bear has always been kept on a tight budget as she is a luxury  
>>> and  there are
>>> always more things needing funds than there is funding. I have   
>>> recently come
>>> into a modest amount of "found money" which was not earned and  
>>> falls outside
>>> of any budget consideration, and which I can spend in any morally  
>>> acceptable
>>> way I want; with the aim being to spend it on something I would  
>>> never
>>> otherwise consider.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am thinking whether this cash should be used to upgrade the  
>>> boat  to an
>>> in-boom furler. I would be interested in responses from others on   
>>> the list
>>> who have done an aftermarket upgrade to an in-boom furler. Living  
>>> in Canada
>>> prices are always wonky so what was paid is not important. Why  
>>> you  made your
>>> choice, problems getting the work correctly done, your degree of
>>> satisfaction, your ownership experience, and whether you felt that  
>>> the
>>> change in your sailing experience justified the price paid.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Feel free to respond directly to amiraults at sympatico.ca
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Brian Amirault 797 Waltzing Bear, too
>>>
>>
>