Submitted on October 2, 2003 by Linda

Question: We own an Irwin 27 and would like to install a 150 roller reefing headsail. We need to know where the best placement would be for the lead blocks for control from the cockpit. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Linda

Answer: Hi Linda, If you intend to use your new headsail as a roller-reefing sail, you will need a genoa track that will allow you to move the sheet lead block forward as you reef the sail. For your Irwin 27, you will need track about 4' long. Your local sailmaker can tell you where the back of the track should be located, based on the clew height of the headsail that you buy.

The control line for the furling unit will run through a fairlead about 2' aft of the headstay and then through a series of leads that will bring the line back to the cockpit. The forward most fairlead placement is critical. It needs to be positioned so the furling line comes straight off the center of the drum at a right angle to the headstay. The rest of the fairleads are not critical. They just keep the line clear of other hardware. You can lead the line through the stancion bases if they are facing the right way or through small blocks that clamp directly to the stancions. Some boat owners lead the furling line along the side of the cabin house using a series of plastic deadeyes.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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