We are looking to upgrade our boat to mainsail furling system. Further to some research it appears there are two styles; boom or mast furling. In order to do a better selection, I would like to learn more about experiences with both systems. Ease of use, reliability, performance, does it work when needed, failure, etc.
Boom or Mast: mainsail furling system?
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in-mast
I have in-mast furling on my 1996 Beneteau. Initially I had some problems unfurling the main but never with furling it. After one summer, I had learned the right combination of running rigging tensions and have had virtually no problems for a couple of years now. Some say that the reduced size of the main (no roach) is a problem and in very light air that is probably true. Once the wind pipes up and folks are scrambling around trying to reef their traditional mains, the sail size is no longer an issue. If you are a serious racer, main furling probably is not what you want. I will be interested in someone with in-boom furling reporting their thoughts because I don't plan on ever owning another boat without some type of main furling system.
I have in-mast furling on my 1996 Beneteau. Initially I had some problems unfurling the main but never with furling it. After one summer, I had learned the right combination of running rigging tensions and have had virtually no problems for a couple of years now. Some say that the reduced size of the main (no roach) is a problem and in very light air that is probably true. Once the wind pipes up and folks are scrambling around trying to reef their traditional mains, the sail size is no longer an issue. If you are a serious racer, main furling probably is not what you want. I will be interested in someone with in-boom furling reporting their thoughts because I don't plan on ever owning another boat without some type of main furling system.
Don't
I have In-Mast furling and love it as most do and have also had my fair share of problems due mainly to not totally understanding the process to furl at the dock (seems to have a different effect for me then out on the water). Now...I SAY DON'T DO IT unless YOU ARE LOOKING TO BURN MONEY...in that case...send it to me
For real...I love it but it's not worth the money unless you got a lot of money. If you got money to burn, then buy a boom furler with a main with a large roach and battons and also get an electric winch for the haylard (see topic last week as to why). If you don't have money to burn but have a little to spend, then put it in the bank and save it so you can retire early and do more then just weekend sailing.
I have In-Mast furling and love it as most do and have also had my fair share of problems due mainly to not totally understanding the process to furl at the dock (seems to have a different effect for me then out on the water). Now...I SAY DON'T DO IT unless YOU ARE LOOKING TO BURN MONEY...in that case...send it to me
For real...I love it but it's not worth the money unless you got a lot of money. If you got money to burn, then buy a boom furler with a main with a large roach and battons and also get an electric winch for the haylard (see topic last week as to why). If you don't have money to burn but have a little to spend, then put it in the bank and save it so you can retire early and do more then just weekend sailing.
in-boom
I retro fitted a Furlboom in-boom system on my H410 4 years ago. its a great system for all the reason previously posted. large roach main, full battens etc. infinite reefing poists etc. When I investigated the various systems, I determined that there wasn't a significant price differential between the two systems, as a retro fit. If your planning on owning the boat for a while, the upgrade is worth it. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
I retro fitted a Furlboom in-boom system on my H410 4 years ago. its a great system for all the reason previously posted. large roach main, full battens etc. infinite reefing poists etc. When I investigated the various systems, I determined that there wasn't a significant price differential between the two systems, as a retro fit. If your planning on owning the boat for a while, the upgrade is worth it. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
thoughts.......
my thoughts are you'd be smarter to get a classic (slugs) rig and a good electric winch ( Lazy Jacks too) now for my reasoning. 1. an in mast furler sail does not have battens which make a great difference in the mainsail trim (if you don't care about performance skip this) 2. when the furler works it is great when it doesn't .........I hope you're not in a big storm. The furler is a total BITCH to deal with in heavey winds if the furler gets jammed (which I've seen more times than not) you can not drop the main if there is a problem . 3. the use of a mast furler means more moving parts which WILL wear over time...costing your MORE money. Money better spent on a better suite of sails (Back to #1) More specifically....the outhaul car and ball bearings have a tendancy to wear, causing difficulties in furling and unfurling the main. 4. an in mast furler puts weight aloft (the complete opposite of where you want weight on a sailboat) If you had a chioce between Mast furling or clasiic rigging STAY with the classic style....now onto in Boom furling. I've had the opportunity to sail on 2 boats with the leisurefurl in boom system and I liked it very much. As stated above, full battens helped keep great shape in the main, and when we had trouble with the furling unit, gravity was still a crew member helping drop the mainsail. Weight is lower in the boat, the battcars that helped raise the main were so smooth that I want to put them on my classic mast to help me..... just my $.02 Before you decide, try to go out on a couple of boats with the different systems and see for yourself. Best of luck.
my thoughts are you'd be smarter to get a classic (slugs) rig and a good electric winch ( Lazy Jacks too) now for my reasoning. 1. an in mast furler sail does not have battens which make a great difference in the mainsail trim (if you don't care about performance skip this) 2. when the furler works it is great when it doesn't .........I hope you're not in a big storm. The furler is a total BITCH to deal with in heavey winds if the furler gets jammed (which I've seen more times than not) you can not drop the main if there is a problem . 3. the use of a mast furler means more moving parts which WILL wear over time...costing your MORE money. Money better spent on a better suite of sails (Back to #1) More specifically....the outhaul car and ball bearings have a tendancy to wear, causing difficulties in furling and unfurling the main. 4. an in mast furler puts weight aloft (the complete opposite of where you want weight on a sailboat) If you had a chioce between Mast furling or clasiic rigging STAY with the classic style....now onto in Boom furling. I've had the opportunity to sail on 2 boats with the leisurefurl in boom system and I liked it very much. As stated above, full battens helped keep great shape in the main, and when we had trouble with the furling unit, gravity was still a crew member helping drop the mainsail. Weight is lower in the boat, the battcars that helped raise the main were so smooth that I want to put them on my classic mast to help me..... just my $.02 Before you decide, try to go out on a couple of boats with the different systems and see for yourself. Best of luck.
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