Furling Main Mast or Boom

[Dale4407]

Sto-boom

I have had a fair amount of sucess with the vintage Sto-boom dinosaur that came from the previous owner... (went out of production in the late '80s or early '90's, I think).I did find an occassion when I had difficulty reducing sail when offshore in 6'+ following seas and running dead down wind. The luff rope bound up in the pvc slide track from being too far out and overpowered. Afraid of broaching while turning upwind to depower the sail...The only way that I could 'unload' the main enough to get it down was to weather-vane it with a preventer in place..in which case it came down, however tough, but down it came. I have been using it for the second season and am still learning alternative adjustments to compensate for the lack of outhaul, cunningham, and etc. in order to get the most of it...Other than that one experience, which was a REAL eye opener for me I've been quite happy with it and would not hesitate to have another in the future. The convenience for me far offsets the liabilities. Probably not for the hard-core able-bodied racers that like the conventional sail tweaking....

 

[Dale4407]

Sto-boom

I have had a fair amount of sucess with the vintage Sto-boom dinosaur that came from the previous owner... (went out of production in the late '80s or early '90's, I think).I did find an occassion when I had difficulty reducing sail when offshore in 6'+ following seas and running dead down wind. The luff rope bound up in the pvc slide track from being too far out and overpowered. Afraid of broaching while turning upwind to depower the sail...The only way that I could 'unload' the main enough to get it down was to weather-vane it with a preventer in place..in which case it came down, however tough, but down it came. I have been using it for the second season and am still learning alternative adjustments to compensate for the lack of outhaul, cunningham, and etc. in order to get the most of it...Other than that one experience, which was a REAL eye opener for me I've been quite happy with it and would not hesitate to have another in the future. The convenience for me far offsets the liabilities. Probably not for the hard-core able-bodied racers that like the conventional sail tweaking....

 

[Bill C320 Papillon]

In-mast

I have an "older" (1996) in-mast system by z-spar. I have only had the boat for 2 years but can't conceive of going back to a boat without it. I don't race but am very competetive with boats of similar size on those unofficial races where all boats in the same proximity, on the same tack are pretending not to compete.I single hand most of the time and never have to leave the cockpit. After hearing many folks express their concern about in-mast systems jamming, I asked on this forum for anyone who had personally experienced a serious problem to share it. The only responses were praises of the in-mast systems; no horror stories. As far as having problems on charters, me thinks it might be the inexperience of skipper and crew with the systems. Like boats, they all have their quirks and you need to practice and think about what you're doing.No experience with in-boom systems but I sure like my loose footed main (which you can't have with in-boom systems) for unlimited sail shaping.

 

[Bill C320 Papillon]

In-mast

I have an "older" (1996) in-mast system by z-spar. I have only had the boat for 2 years but can't conceive of going back to a boat without it. I don't race but am very competetive with boats of similar size on those unofficial races where all boats in the same proximity, on the same tack are pretending not to compete.I single hand most of the time and never have to leave the cockpit. After hearing many folks express their concern about in-mast systems jamming, I asked on this forum for anyone who had personally experienced a serious problem to share it. The only responses were praises of the in-mast systems; no horror stories. As far as having problems on charters, me thinks it might be the inexperience of skipper and crew with the systems. Like boats, they all have their quirks and you need to practice and think about what you're doing.No experience with in-boom systems but I sure like my loose footed main (which you can't have with in-boom systems) for unlimited sail shaping.