Hi folks, I have a friend here in Nova Scotia who really likes my B331, but is finding it hard to get one with a traditional main. Is it possible to convert in-mast furling to a traditional main?
**It has been done. The Z500E mast has a built in track on the backside of the mast.
Mast comes out to remove all the furling gear, re-lead the halyard.
Biggest challenge is converting the old boom to jiffy or continuous reefing. And then leading lines aft to the cockpit. Could mean adding stoppers and the like, which means the headliner comes out.
Simplest way to go is single line clew reef with strap or gooseneck hooks at luff. This reduces the amount of lines (and hardware) led aft, but also means going forward to the mast when reefing.
And you'll need a new main of course. You gain about 43sqft in area in going to the classic main vs. the original non-battened main or about 10sft bigger than an Opti pram sail. So I'm guess performance isn't the driving the issue, but more about furling vs. slab reefing?
But, as mentioned it's been done.
Conversely, I have a customer right now converting a B45 std to an ICW rig. In this case they are getting a new tube from Zspar with hardware mounted...big job and requires a new main and a recut jib as well.
I share this, because if you are determined and have the budget and want, these kinds of things can be done!
Bob Pattison