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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 Ball Bearings for CDI FF4: worth it?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Initially Posted - 01/20/2012 :  12:10:16  Show Profile
My C250WK has the typical factory supplied CDI FF4 roller furler. (FYI, some of C250WB models have the FF2 instead.) While the FF6 and larger models come from the factory with internal ball bearings, the FF4 comes with a plastic puck bearing made of white HDPE, presumably because the drum+foil+sail are lighter than the larger models, so they keep the price down by making the ball bearings available only as an extra-cost upgrade. I lifted the drum last spring and cleaned up the puck, and it is in very good shape.

My wife still complains about how hard it is to furl up the headsail, but I think it may just be the resistance of the sail in a breeze, and not the friction of the bearing. However, now that I have the mast down for the winter, I need to decide whether to buy the upgrade kit with ball bearings. With the mast down, now is the time to do it.

Do any of you have the ball bearing upgrade on the FF4 model? Does it make a noticeable difference vs. the plastic puck bearing?
Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)
Edited by - TakeFive on 01/26/2012 06:01:58

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 01/20/2012 :  12:16:49  Show Profile
No. I don't have it but, I want it. The consensus here is overwhelmingly positive. It's supposed to be one of those "Where have you been all my life?" moments.
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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts
Response Posted - 01/20/2012 :  13:54:17  Show Profile
YES! You want it. Your wife will love you for it. It is astonishing they make the unit without the ball bearings. We did this upgrade and it made a huge difference. Does that answer your question?

Got ours at rigging only.com
Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/20/2012 13:55:25
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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts
Response Posted - 01/20/2012 :  14:43:41  Show Profile
Do it or you'll never hear the end of it.
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Response Posted - 01/20/2012 :  21:25:34  Show Profile
Thanks for talking me into it. I'll order the ball bearing upgrade along with a new CDI halyard on Monday. I had already called RiggingOnly for a quote, and their price was better than the alternatives.
Edited by - TakeFive on 01/20/2012 21:26:07
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Response Posted - 01/25/2012 :  21:15:46  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by John Russell</i>
<br />No. I don't have it but, I want it. The consensus here is overwhelmingly positive. It's supposed to be one of those "Where have you been all my life?" moments.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I ordered the upgrade (and also a replacement FF4 halyard) on Monday, and it arrived today. He gave me a discount for the Chicago Sailboat Show, which is starting up tomorrow. You may want to call him and order during the show if you're interested in getting the discount.
Edited by - TakeFive on 01/25/2012 21:16:21
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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 01/25/2012 :  21:20:13  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by RhythmDoctor</i>
<br /><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by John Russell</i>
<br />No. I don't have it but, I want it. The consensus here is overwhelmingly positive. It's supposed to be one of those "Where have you been all my life?" moments.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I ordered the upgrade (and also a replacement FF4 halyard) on Monday, and it arrived today. He gave me a discount for the Chicago Sailboat Show, which is starting up tomorrow. You may want to call him and order during the show if you're interested in getting the discount.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Unemployment sucks. I'm doing well to hold onto the boat. Still not sure about launching this season. So, Ball bearings may haveto wait a while.
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Response Posted - 01/25/2012 :  22:00:14  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by John Russell</i>
<br />Unemployment sucks. I'm doing well to hold onto the boat. Still not sure about launching this season. So, Ball bearings may haveto wait a while.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Oops, I didn't realize. I've been there before, so I know what that's like. Keep this on the list for when better times return.
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 01/27/2012 :  08:42:26  Show Profile
John, sorry to read that you are unemployed. hope things improve for you soon!
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts
Response Posted - 01/27/2012 :  09:39:19  Show Profile
Me too, John... I was out twice, for over a year each time, and each time with a kid just starting college. I even sold Jeeps for a short time until I found the "real job"--it's not as fun as it looks!

I suspect there are plenty here who can empathize! (I'm finally unemployed <i>by choice!</i>)
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/27/2012 09:40:21
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