Hood furler

[Don Ferrell]

We have an approximately 30 year old, at last near completion, Cascade 44 with a never used mast and Hood, in the mast, furling main. The mast is a Lafill? The mail has no battens and is sewn to a cable. The boom has a car for the clew. I believe it is complete except for the furling line (what material and size) and the knowledge of how/when to get the main hoisted and furled. Can we hoist and furl the main before the mast is stepped or after? Can the sail be hoisted while it is furled? What material and size should we use for the furling line?