We sailed a bunch before installing the furler. I added some sports friction tape to the mast below the sail to make it easy to grip and turn while luffed. The sail is not very big and you can wrap it up pretty quick, a few seconds. The next problem is how to keep it furled when you let go. I made a small double loop of bungee cord that would rest on the kayak around the mast base and just pushed it up over the furled sail to keep it all in place.
Furler or not, using some teflon spray will let the mast turn more easily in the holder. I also made a small teflon disk to insert in the mast holder for the bottom of the mast to rest on.
https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=62747Peter