Behind the mast furler

Shooter II · Apr 20, 2010

Why not the CDI? Just curious.

Barnacle Bill · Apr 20, 2010

It seems like a lot of expense for such a little boat. Selden used to make a retrofit furling system for mains that attached to the trailing edge of the stick, but don't offer it anymore. Now they say it is about the same price to replace the whole rig with the system incorporated into the spar. It is a very good system. The only behind the mast system I really messed with was on a 47 footer and it was built by ProFurl and it was a nightmare.

sailingdog · Apr 20, 2010

Why would you do this?
The boat's mainsail isn't really big enough to warrant needing a roller furling/reefing system.

The sail shape would be horrible when reefed, which is the last thing you want.

The system would add weight aloft.

The system would add windage aloft.

You wouldn't be able to have anything but a hollow leech main, and would probably lose some sail area to the hollow leech, in addition to what you'd lose at the luff to accommodate the furling system.

You're adding complexity to a system that really doesn't gain any benefit from it.

BobM · Apr 20, 2010

Seems like a lot of money to spend for reefing, given the other options, so I assume it is also for convenience (avoiding flaking and covering the main). Personally, given the relatively small size of the sail I'd suggest a stack pack / lazy jack set-up. Have you considered that, perhaps with Harken battcars (should allow the main to readily drop down vs. slugs) as an alternative?

http://www.harken.com/mainsail/Mainsail_Novak.php

However, if you are really looking to avoid going on deck then the CDI isn't a bad alternative either.

COOL · Apr 20, 2010

I second all of Sailing Dogs statements above.
If you are an invalid who sails single handed,
such a system may make sense for you.
Otherwise it is another way to further degrade the
sailing performance of your boat, for a little convenience.

Joe · Apr 20, 2010

I agree with SD... forget the furler. Instead, get a full batten main with a stack pack.

http://www.doylesails.com/cruising/stackpack/index.html

Shooter II · Apr 20, 2010

I disagree with the others.
Anything that makes my day easier, I'm for.
I don't go sailing to go fast. I borrow my brother's Sea Ray 23 for that.
I go out on the boat and water for selfish spiritual reasons.
I have met a lot of people with in-mast furlers who love them.
Behind the mast is the only retrofit that makes economic sense.
I didn't take up sailing to exercise or test myself or anything like that.
If you want it, get it if you can, but let me know what you got and how you like it.
I would presume the naysayers have no experience with it. Just a guess.

sailingdog · Apr 20, 2010

You can get a lazy jacks system, like EZJax, that allows you to deploy/retract the lazy jacks from the cockpit. Combine this with the reefing lines, main halyard, topping lift and outhaul all lead aft, and you'd be able to raise, drop or reef the main from the cockpit with little trouble. Add a fully battened mainsail, and it will be fairly easily managed from the cockpit and give you far better sailing performance than a roller reefing main setup, with less weight aloft, less complexity, less windage, etc...

Rick Sylvester · Apr 20, 2010

Hey Shooter, I like your post

but not because I agree. I don't, at least not entirely. I do like that you're speaking your mind.

I'm going to respond to your comments though. We can discuss it further over some cold ones.

I disagree with the others. Cool.
Anything that makes my day easier, I'm for. Isn't that what Sea Rays are for?
I don't go sailing to go fast. I borrow my brother's Sea Ray 23 for that. Oops, sorry.
I go out on the boat and water for selfish spiritual reasons. I'd suggest that sailing poorly probably isn't terribly spiritual.
I have met a lot of people with in-mast furlers who love them. He's not asking about an in-mast furler but even those don't address the shape issues.
Behind the mast is the only retrofit that makes economic sense. Oh my. It's more expensive than lazy-jacks so that can't be true.
I didn't take up sailing to exercise or test myself or anything like that. You took up sailing to sail, right?
If you want it, get it if you can, but let me know what you got and how you like it. Absolutely.
I would presume the naysayers have no experience with it. Just a guess. In my case you guessed right.

For me, sailing well is usually intense. Doing it well is a kind of religious experience. I want my boat to perform. I think rolling mains take a hit in performance. If there were any performance to be gained then the racers would be doing it. And they aren't.

I do understand why many people like them. I'm sure they can be optimized.
I've read the opinion about how, 'I'm not going to be racing.' I'll just say that performance means many things. It's not just about knots or degrees of heel. For example, I'd find it tough to give up the simplicity of releasing the halyard and dousing the sail unattended in seconds while shorthanded in heinous conditions.

I don't mind some effort when I sail, I do confess to having a dodger though . . .

Shooter II · Apr 20, 2010

Rick,
I'm a 60yo Huck Finn.
I want to hang out on the bay on my boat.
I have no jacks and no main furler.
New to sailing. Bad knees. Bad back.
Short, fat, old and ugly.
Decided to get the boat now because later would be worse.
Single hand more than I prefer. Thank you Yanmar.
Spent too many years thinking someday I'll get a boat.
You know, in the sixties I had '66 SS 396 I drove as mine in '67.
Speed and racing and adreneline rushes are good but they're not my Gestalt.
In '71 I had a Triumph Spitfire that I loved. Wanted a TR6 or AH 3000 but . . .
I'm a mellow person who just wants a way to enjoy "me time" on the bay. I've got it.
I'd like to make using the sails the easiest I can. If you're already getting a new sail, behind the mast furling seems similar in cost to jacks and batcars or stak paks.
Seems easier to reef, too.
I'm just sayin' . . .

Bad Obsession · Apr 20, 2010

No one mentioned a roller furling boom option. That could be a possibility but I have no experience with that at all.

I single hand a Catalina 30 on the Chesapeake Bay. I don't have lazy jacks or anything like that. I have a full batten main and I drop and lower it the old fashioned way. I am tempted to put jacks on it but we shall see if I do. I would rather get a new main with two reef points first.

Reefing a boat isn't rocket science. If you anticipate the need for a reef (I.E. high wind forecast) then do it at the dock or at anchor. It is easiest to do it before the wind builds up too. It is much easier to reef the boat and shake the reef out if you don't need it than it is to shake a reef into it when the boat is over 25 degrees and blue water is coming over the bow.

Joe · Apr 20, 2010

Shooter II said:
Rick,
.....New to sailing....

aha, the picture is clearer now.

Shooter II · Apr 21, 2010

Joe said:
aha, the picture is clearer now.

Thank you, Joe for focusing on me being new and not

Short, fat, old and ugly.

MrBee · Apr 21, 2010

Lots of people with lots of different needs/wants. What one likes another may not....What works or is ok for one may not be for the other...Whats easier for one may seem a pain for another. Try it, see if you like it, if not sell it and try something else till you have what works best for you and your situation...

Brian

sailingdog · Apr 21, 2010

Those attributes don't necessarily affect your ability to sail....

Shooter II said:
Thank you, Joe for focusing on me being new and not

Short, fat, old and ugly.

Shooter II · Apr 21, 2010

Roger on that, dog.

Rick Sylvester · Apr 22, 2010

I'm with you Shooter.

I'm not short but I am ugly. The old and fat are a work in progress.