Furling jibs were introduced. Why not furling main sail? Yes, more complicated with boom and stays, but has no one tried it?
- Status
In-mast and in-boom furling already available.
Not only are they popular with a lot of new boats, there is at least one company that makes retro-fit kits (that look a lot like a roller-furler jib, but it goes up your mainsail slot instead.) Dave
Not only are they popular with a lot of new boats, there is at least one company that makes retro-fit kits (that look a lot like a roller-furler jib, but it goes up your mainsail slot instead.) Dave
name of company and more info?
I knew it! Well, name of company would be great. Or this fool should just do a search for...
I knew it! Well, name of company would be great. Or this fool should just do a search for...
Selden
Selden makes mainsail furling systems. The Selden "Furlex Main" is also a retrofit system that converts the mast to a furling mast. I have one on a Catalina 30. Works great, easy to use, no Sunbrella boom cover required, no mainsail flacking required, no sail ties, etc.
Selden makes mainsail furling systems. The Selden "Furlex Main" is also a retrofit system that converts the mast to a furling mast. I have one on a Catalina 30. Works great, easy to use, no Sunbrella boom cover required, no mainsail flacking required, no sail ties, etc.
US Spars
They supply in mast furling for Beneteau http://www.usspars.com/ http://www.usspars.com/USSparManual.htm
They supply in mast furling for Beneteau http://www.usspars.com/ http://www.usspars.com/USSparManual.htm
tom in anacortes
tom, anacortes. I have relatives in La Conner. what is your email address? mine kauaihoneymoon@hawaiiantel.net
tom, anacortes. I have relatives in La Conner. what is your email address? mine kauaihoneymoon@hawaiiantel.net
Selden ...
AFAIK Selden no longer makes the kits to retro-fit mast furling. We just intalled one of the last "old stock" kits on a C&C 30. CDI has a "behind the mast" main furling system that uses parts from their jib furling system. I've also seen other jib furlers mounted behind masts to furl mainsails. For retro-fitting mainsail furling, in-boom systems are a better bet. Selden, Pro-Furl, and Forespar all offer in-boom furling systems. The biggest problem with adding in-mast furling to an existing mast is weight. The mast section is designed to handle all the rigging loads, when the roller furling is added, the extrusions add weight and strength that is not needed. A mast designed for roller furling will be heavier than a non-furling mast, but not nearly as heavy as a mast that has had roller furling added.
AFAIK Selden no longer makes the kits to retro-fit mast furling. We just intalled one of the last "old stock" kits on a C&C 30. CDI has a "behind the mast" main furling system that uses parts from their jib furling system. I've also seen other jib furlers mounted behind masts to furl mainsails. For retro-fitting mainsail furling, in-boom systems are a better bet. Selden, Pro-Furl, and Forespar all offer in-boom furling systems. The biggest problem with adding in-mast furling to an existing mast is weight. The mast section is designed to handle all the rigging loads, when the roller furling is added, the extrusions add weight and strength that is not needed. A mast designed for roller furling will be heavier than a non-furling mast, but not nearly as heavy as a mast that has had roller furling added.
CDI
Here's the link to CDI http://www.sailcdi.com/Mainsailreef.htm You would also need to get a sail with vertical battens to make this work. It's not a cheap proposition. There is a new Hunter 270 a slip or two over from me with the in mast furling system. General consensus around the marina is: "That's neat but it scares the 'schnitzengruber' out of me!" The CDI system intimidates me far less than in-mast furling. I guess I'm of the un-educated opinion that if it jammed up like an old window shade in a squall, I'd be hosed.
Here's the link to CDI http://www.sailcdi.com/Mainsailreef.htm You would also need to get a sail with vertical battens to make this work. It's not a cheap proposition. There is a new Hunter 270 a slip or two over from me with the in mast furling system. General consensus around the marina is: "That's neat but it scares the 'schnitzengruber' out of me!" The CDI system intimidates me far less than in-mast furling. I guess I'm of the un-educated opinion that if it jammed up like an old window shade in a squall, I'd be hosed.
In-mast
I have a Z-Spar (now US Spar) system on my Beneteau OC281. It is 10 years old and works well. All this talk about in-mast systems jamming and leaving you in peril during storms has beeen pretty well debunked otherwise they wouldn't be pretty much standard on new charter yachts. I've furled my main in 42 kt winds by myself. That's the beauty of a furling main. If you race however, don't get one. You loose significant sail area with an in-mast system.
I have a Z-Spar (now US Spar) system on my Beneteau OC281. It is 10 years old and works well. All this talk about in-mast systems jamming and leaving you in peril during storms has beeen pretty well debunked otherwise they wouldn't be pretty much standard on new charter yachts. I've furled my main in 42 kt winds by myself. That's the beauty of a furling main. If you race however, don't get one. You loose significant sail area with an in-mast system.
- Status