I appreciate the response to my original question. My particular situation will be sailing the Channel Islands off the California coast. An occasional trip to Mexico may be in order. The prevailing winds here are such that I will expect half of my cruises to be downwind, or on a very broad reach. Will the furling main, coupled with the raked back mast spreaders of the B & R rig prevent performance? I look forward to enjoying the maximum out of the boat and don't want to hinder this. However, a half knot of speed may not be that important. If the furling set up with the prevailing wind on the California coast causes a problem, them maybe I should go with the conventional furling idea. One of the responses mentioned a problem with high winds causing a problem with the furling process. I expect that I might be spending some time, not a lot, as a single handed sailor. Will furling really help, or should I just forget it and spend the two or three thousand elsewhere?