I'm in the market for a Hunter 376 and understand that raising the main is an issue with this boat. There are two in the area, a 1997 with a Z-spar furling main and a 1998 with an electric halyard winch. I'm interested in the opinion of owners what would work best or are they both effective and it is just a difference in apporach? Thanks
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Don
take a browse through the archives
This issue has been debated many, many times. Not being smart, but you might find some useful info in there.
This issue has been debated many, many times. Not being smart, but you might find some useful info in there.
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Patti
Boat is designed for the full main
We have a 460 and went with the electric winch and full main. The B&R rig is designed for the full main and to use the roller furling feature you defeat its purpose. We used just the electric winch for a season and found the strain on the winch and blocks was getting to be too much. We added an external track last year and now we can almost get the whole main up by hand at the mast and only need the electric winch for the last couple of feet! The sail also comes down much easier and quicker.
We have a 460 and went with the electric winch and full main. The B&R rig is designed for the full main and to use the roller furling feature you defeat its purpose. We used just the electric winch for a season and found the strain on the winch and blocks was getting to be too much. We added an external track last year and now we can almost get the whole main up by hand at the mast and only need the electric winch for the last couple of feet! The sail also comes down much easier and quicker.
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Steve
Trade Offs
Fred - We have the in-mast furling on our H380 and love it without reservation. Sure, there are some trade-offs, but unless you have to have the performance of a traditional main, the convenience and versatility of the in-mast furling system can't be beat. You'll find in-mast detractors as well as advocates. In the end, you have to go with what meets your needs best. But stroll through the archives and talk to folks who have both, then make your decision. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
Fred - We have the in-mast furling on our H380 and love it without reservation. Sure, there are some trade-offs, but unless you have to have the performance of a traditional main, the convenience and versatility of the in-mast furling system can't be beat. You'll find in-mast detractors as well as advocates. In the end, you have to go with what meets your needs best. But stroll through the archives and talk to folks who have both, then make your decision. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
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bob
Viva Elec Winch!
We bought a 40.5 and had a elec halyard winch installed at purch. Best thing we ever did, use it to raise main, adjust main sheet, travel up the mast with 1 finger ease, we even use it as a windlass. Once you have one you will never buy a boat without it.
We bought a 40.5 and had a elec halyard winch installed at purch. Best thing we ever did, use it to raise main, adjust main sheet, travel up the mast with 1 finger ease, we even use it as a windlass. Once you have one you will never buy a boat without it.
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Bob F
Agree with Bob
The electric winch is a great addition. With my wife being my main crew member, she can do alot more than our prior boat w/o the elec winch.
The electric winch is a great addition. With my wife being my main crew member, she can do alot more than our prior boat w/o the elec winch.
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Richard Owen
Furling mains
I sit on the side which Patti described - I firmly believe that the big roach, battened main is an integral part of the design of the B&R rig. Think about it - isn't one of the main reasons for no backstay the fact that you have no limits on the roach of the main?? That doesn't mean that there is no place for the furled main. many sailors are happy with the arrangement. I grew up on smaller racing boats - raced for 15 years - so I want all that a boat can give me. My boat isn't a racing boat, but I intend to race it in cruising categories of racing events. When I ordered the 460, some at the dealership said I wouldn't like the big main - too much trouble, but for me, it was the right choice. The electric halyard winch is very useful and I think Patti's comments about an external track with batt cars is a good idea. We haven't done it yet - we use super lube to keep the track running freely, and it's OK. I can manually run the main up about 3/4 way. it's one of my boat excersises. In retrospect, the only thing I would change is that I might have given more consideration to a boom furler. I think you should consider how you will sail the boat. If optimizing the performance of the boat is not on the agenda, then get a mast furled boat - it's definitely easier. For me, I wasn't willing to accept any compromise on the sailing characteristics of the boat.
I sit on the side which Patti described - I firmly believe that the big roach, battened main is an integral part of the design of the B&R rig. Think about it - isn't one of the main reasons for no backstay the fact that you have no limits on the roach of the main?? That doesn't mean that there is no place for the furled main. many sailors are happy with the arrangement. I grew up on smaller racing boats - raced for 15 years - so I want all that a boat can give me. My boat isn't a racing boat, but I intend to race it in cruising categories of racing events. When I ordered the 460, some at the dealership said I wouldn't like the big main - too much trouble, but for me, it was the right choice. The electric halyard winch is very useful and I think Patti's comments about an external track with batt cars is a good idea. We haven't done it yet - we use super lube to keep the track running freely, and it's OK. I can manually run the main up about 3/4 way. it's one of my boat excersises. In retrospect, the only thing I would change is that I might have given more consideration to a boom furler. I think you should consider how you will sail the boat. If optimizing the performance of the boat is not on the agenda, then get a mast furled boat - it's definitely easier. For me, I wasn't willing to accept any compromise on the sailing characteristics of the boat.
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Chuck Wayne
furling mains
You can get back most of the full roach/batten performance with a Doyle swingbatten main-I'll try to post a picture of the swingbatten vs the stk UK furling main for my 356, and I'll post a full comparison when we launch this spring Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
You can get back most of the full roach/batten performance with a Doyle swingbatten main-I'll try to post a picture of the swingbatten vs the stk UK furling main for my 356, and I'll post a full comparison when we launch this spring Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
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