Buccaneer 24 Builders Forum

No, the furler is not attached yet I'm still trying to decide if I am going to use it or go to a hank on jib. The furler looks pretty old and decrepit. I'll post a close-up to get your opinion.

 

Freddy, the boat is coming along beautifully - congrats.

For hanked-on jibs, well for blades anyway, I have tried rigging a downhaul to really get control of the jib. It worked very well on some of my boats, less well on others, but usually did what I needed.

I did that because I sailed engine-less and solo, and when anchoring or picking up a mooring in crowded anchorages, one needs to be slow and need to reliably & quickly tack -- and under those constraints I preferred the mainsail to using the jib because my jibs never were self tacking. Of course none of this works if you keep the main-sail sheeted hard when tacking - it will weathercock the boat (almost) every time - but you only have to ease the main a few feet and just for a few seconds.

Just running a light line from a cockpit cleat that leads fair to the the fore-deck to a smallish standing block (the spring-base type) directly in line with the sail hanks, then up thru each of the hanks up to where ever along the sail luff that will work. easy enough to test from the cockpit when at a mooring or at anchor. Just keep a little tension on the halyard as you take in the down-haul line - easy enough, but different for each boat.

Some boats or some jibs at some times would not work well enough with the down-haul rigged at full hoist -- but even at 75%/65% it worked well enough to do the job. At least for me - trapping the majority of the bulk of the sail down to the deck - with the down-haul on tight and the jib sheet fully snugged (keep in mind this is happening at very slow boat speeds) it kept the head sail from (over)powering the boat.

Congrats on the great progress.

Cheers,

 

Fred, Tom has lots of experience, and likes simplicity- and it has worked well for him. Take note
I have set up and/or repaired quite a few furlers, and for most purposes prefer them. IMO . I have had properly sized and set up Harken's on both my 24 and my 33, and I really like "instant" reefing or furling with them. My local area (and most of the southern US) has frequent afternoon and evening thunderstorms and I have often kept sailing safely by reducing sail area as necessary, all without going out of the cockpit. When I am racing, we roll the jib after we launch the spinnaker. Tom has a good point on picking up a mooring with the main. I often have to come a long side of a dock, and my usual method is first dropping the main and using a partly furled jib as power and rolling it at the last second to stop. As they say, it depends.
I have had good luck purchasing used furlers and reconditioning them as necessary. As long as it still has parts available, almost any proper sized one will work fine with a jib as small as the 24 uses. One designed to reef as well as furl gives the most advantages.
B

 

Bruceb; could you name the best, the medium and the stay away from brands for us please
I sail on a Corsair and he is looking at top down furlers for an asymmetrical.
I have little experience with furlers of any description.

 

Hi Reuben, I am about to leave town for a few days so when I am back next week, I will try to give an opinion on furlers. Size and intended use does matter, what size Corsair is this for, and which headsails and size of them do you want to furl? And expected sailing conditions?
bruce

 

Reuben, I am back, More info?
B

 

Probably a very old Pic post for sale but who was the lucky person who purchased this? Round bilge demount able with centre board very nice.
Buccaneer Trimaran https://flic.kr/s/aGF1NTVER3

Merry Christmas and a very safe and Happy New Year everyone
Jessica and Team Ezifold

 

Bruce, it’s a Corsair 24 long cabin, not sure what year, apparently he’s bought a top down furler for the asymmetrical but I haven’t seen it yet, maybe this Sunday.
I was just interested generally though for boats up to 30’

 

Maybe a stupid question, but, where is the best place to store an anchor in a B24? I'm thinking it would not be good to have an anchor rattling around in the forepeak, hit some big waves and the hull could be damaged by the anchor. Doesn't seem to be much room for a place above deck. I was thinking of a 5 gal bucket to store the anchor and chain in the forepeak. How do you b24 owners store yours?

 

Fred, I didn't like going out on the bow if I could help it, so I stowed my anchor on my tramps and led the line aft from the bow if I thought I was going to anchor. I also found that retrieving moorings was easier from between the hulls.
B

 

would it work to mount solar panels on the amas? Or would an arch off the rear be better? I can't decide.

 

Freddyj
Definitely works see attached from Trimaran spirit (google) Claudia and Jason have them in aft position work fine. Some have a mobile one they can hang off life lines or stays for best sun advantage.

Regards
Jessica and Team Ezifold

 

Fred, I like their set up on the floats. I have been using one on each side on my 33, just one doesn't usually work as well because of shadows. This past season I have had one on each side just in front of the rear crossbeam, and one is often shaded. I am having a set made now to mount on the floats in front of the forward crossbeam where there is more space and sun. Mine are wired in parallel to a Victron controller, and have done a great job keeping the battery up. The Victron has an app so you can monitor the charge rate and keeps a history for the last 30 days.
B

 

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to mount them on the floats. Much easier.

 

I'm looking for plans and doc for building a Buc 24. Does anyone know if OS 7 still have them available? Thanks in avance.