Performance - No Contest
From a performance perspective, there is simply no contest. In mast furling means you give up battens and the extended roach they provide, and thus sail area and shape, which equal performance. You gain ease of use (as long as it's working right). If you are reasonably able bodied, you should be able to deal with a conventional main especially with a Dutchman or similar flaking system and slab reefing. With this setup, you may also want to go with a full battened main, if performance is what your after. They flog around less, provide nicer sail shape, and settle on the boom much nicer with a Dutchman. I am awaiting the Nov 99 delivery of my new 470, which will have a full battened main.Good luck.Claude McKernan