I'm posting this in the cruising forum because I think the answers to my questions may be quite different depending on the context (cruising versus racing, for example), and I'm only interested in the answers as they pertain to cruising.
I was watching a video on Schaefer boom furlers and wondered about a couple of things. To what extent does the Schaefer system (or a similar system) affect mast bend? Presumably, it makes the mast stiffer, thereby reducing mast bend for given stay and sail loads. Or is the sail track designed so as not to influence the bending stiffness of the mast? If the system does make the mast stiffer, does one just accept less bend, or can the greater stiffness be compensated for with stay tuning? Also, the Schaefer system moves the sail aft, relative to the mast, thereby (other things being equal) moving the center of effort aft. Is this usually compensated for in the shape of the sail used with the boom furler (i.e., roach) or is it compensated for by mast rake (or both)?
I was watching a video on Schaefer boom furlers and wondered about a couple of things. To what extent does the Schaefer system (or a similar system) affect mast bend? Presumably, it makes the mast stiffer, thereby reducing mast bend for given stay and sail loads. Or is the sail track designed so as not to influence the bending stiffness of the mast? If the system does make the mast stiffer, does one just accept less bend, or can the greater stiffness be compensated for with stay tuning? Also, the Schaefer system moves the sail aft, relative to the mast, thereby (other things being equal) moving the center of effort aft. Is this usually compensated for in the shape of the sail used with the boom furler (i.e., roach) or is it compensated for by mast rake (or both)?