I've got another one, please. I see this trend towards in-mast furling mainsails, and I'm hestitant. First, it seems the complexity will breed problems. and we all know it would be ugly to have you main stuck out when you need to go home or if you need to reef! Second, it would seem the pointing ability and performance of a boat would suffer with an in-mast main. You have very lttle control over sail shape, and you have no battens. Anyone out there with personal experience, I would love to hear from you. Thanks, Scott
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John J
Furling
I do not have in mast furling, but I have been looking at in boom furling. From what I have read, I would go with in boom. It allows better sail shape since you can still have full battens. I am also guessing if something jams, it is a lot easier to work on the boom than it is half way up the mast. Practical Sailor did an in boom review a month or two ago. None of these options are cheap.
I do not have in mast furling, but I have been looking at in boom furling. From what I have read, I would go with in boom. It allows better sail shape since you can still have full battens. I am also guessing if something jams, it is a lot easier to work on the boom than it is half way up the mast. Practical Sailor did an in boom review a month or two ago. None of these options are cheap.
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Bryce
in mast furling
you forgot to mention the substantially smaller mainsail area, which we know what will happen in light wind conditions. I think furling booms are going to become a more common approach to mainsail furling systems. they totally eliminate all the negtive of in mast furling systems. Hunter was offering an in boom system as an option at the Annapolis boat show in October. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
you forgot to mention the substantially smaller mainsail area, which we know what will happen in light wind conditions. I think furling booms are going to become a more common approach to mainsail furling systems. they totally eliminate all the negtive of in mast furling systems. Hunter was offering an in boom system as an option at the Annapolis boat show in October. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
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David Foster
You've got the trade-offs right
For day sailing, or cruising with good wonds and short legs (around 3-5 hours) some captains just love the ease of deploying, and reefing their mainsail. And they don't care about any marginal losses in performance. Personally, I like getting the best performance from my rig while cruising or daysailing, and wouldn't pay the performance price. Also,the increased weight aloft definitely increases initial resistance to a roll (by increasing angular momentum), then decreases righting moment in a knock-down or possible roll-over scenario (due to increased weight high above the deck.) Both these effects apply to mast or boom furling, although greater for the mast version. The reliability issue is also real. Furling systems mostly fail when the wind is blowing hard, and we really want to decrease sail! David Lady Lillie
For day sailing, or cruising with good wonds and short legs (around 3-5 hours) some captains just love the ease of deploying, and reefing their mainsail. And they don't care about any marginal losses in performance. Personally, I like getting the best performance from my rig while cruising or daysailing, and wouldn't pay the performance price. Also,the increased weight aloft definitely increases initial resistance to a roll (by increasing angular momentum), then decreases righting moment in a knock-down or possible roll-over scenario (due to increased weight high above the deck.) Both these effects apply to mast or boom furling, although greater for the mast version. The reliability issue is also real. Furling systems mostly fail when the wind is blowing hard, and we really want to decrease sail! David Lady Lillie
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Henryv
happy with furling
I have in mast furling on my Beneteau 331 and have been very happy with it. I do a lot of single handed sailing and like the ease of reefing. I have had to reef in a suuden storm where I would have had great difficulty with a traditional set up. The loss in area is only 6% of total sail area on my boat and shape is actually very good. With the infinite reefing options and the loose foot I feel I maintain better shape over a wider range of conditions than I ever did with my prior boat using multiple reef points. I am a fan of the reefing system - unless you are a serious racer or sail in an area with very light air I would give it consideration.
I have in mast furling on my Beneteau 331 and have been very happy with it. I do a lot of single handed sailing and like the ease of reefing. I have had to reef in a suuden storm where I would have had great difficulty with a traditional set up. The loss in area is only 6% of total sail area on my boat and shape is actually very good. With the infinite reefing options and the loose foot I feel I maintain better shape over a wider range of conditions than I ever did with my prior boat using multiple reef points. I am a fan of the reefing system - unless you are a serious racer or sail in an area with very light air I would give it consideration.
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Robert W. Bonney
In Mast Furling
I don't have in mast furling on either of my boats, but I have sailed several times with a friend who has it on his Morgan. He has consistently said that, given the option to do it again, he would NOT get in mast furling. He has had repeated problems with the sail hanging up. The problem seems worse in heavier winds, but I have experienced it while with him in light winds as well. This experience might be isolated, but it is something to consider.
I don't have in mast furling on either of my boats, but I have sailed several times with a friend who has it on his Morgan. He has consistently said that, given the option to do it again, he would NOT get in mast furling. He has had repeated problems with the sail hanging up. The problem seems worse in heavier winds, but I have experienced it while with him in light winds as well. This experience might be isolated, but it is something to consider.
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Bill Ihlenfeldt
furling main performance
I have sailed a 410 with in mast furling (seldon) for three years. I can tell you that after 25 years of hoisting a mainsail and various types of reefing systems I will never go back. The reefing mechanism has never failed in anyway---no jams, just flawless operation. It is ironic that the same argument about sail shape and speed were arguments against roller furling in the early 80's and yet today it is rare to see a boat without roller furling. I would guess that unless you are a hardcore racer you will not notice the difference in speed or pointing. In fact my 410 is an extremely fast boat that points well and reefing to keep it on its feet is a dream. I will reef to keep the boat on its feet while others carry to much sail for too long because reefing is a pain. My spouse also loves it because of the ease of use. We sail more than we ever have simply because its easy to unfurl and just as easy to put away. We arrive at the dock all shipshape while others are still furling and covering their sails for the next half hour. I really never furl the headsail on the 410 unless it really is blowing 30-35. Other than that I just roll in the big main a bit at a time to suit our taste. Seldon has my vote for their in mast furling.
I have sailed a 410 with in mast furling (seldon) for three years. I can tell you that after 25 years of hoisting a mainsail and various types of reefing systems I will never go back. The reefing mechanism has never failed in anyway---no jams, just flawless operation. It is ironic that the same argument about sail shape and speed were arguments against roller furling in the early 80's and yet today it is rare to see a boat without roller furling. I would guess that unless you are a hardcore racer you will not notice the difference in speed or pointing. In fact my 410 is an extremely fast boat that points well and reefing to keep it on its feet is a dream. I will reef to keep the boat on its feet while others carry to much sail for too long because reefing is a pain. My spouse also loves it because of the ease of use. We sail more than we ever have simply because its easy to unfurl and just as easy to put away. We arrive at the dock all shipshape while others are still furling and covering their sails for the next half hour. I really never furl the headsail on the 410 unless it really is blowing 30-35. Other than that I just roll in the big main a bit at a time to suit our taste. Seldon has my vote for their in mast furling.
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Tim Schaaf
Poor shape when reefed
I used to sail a Beneteau 351 with in mast furling, quite a lot, and in heavy wind. I felt that Beneteau "designed in" the smaller sail area, and the boat sailed very well under full sail. However, the furler did occasionally jam. When reefed, both the outhaul and the reefing line would stretch a bit under load, so that after a half hour the sail was no longer the flat shape desired under these conditions. As a result, we would usually just sail with the main totally deployed or furled, and for that, the furler was usually fine. By the way, some systems work much more smoothly on one tack rather than the other, due to the slot design. Obviously, some makes must work better than others, and maybe Selden has got it right. Still, if for no other reason than weight aloft, I can't imagine having an in-mast system. In boom, maybe, as it sure would make life simpler. By the way, the Beneteau was in the dealer's fleet, so it was not a question of installation error, or poor maintenance.
I used to sail a Beneteau 351 with in mast furling, quite a lot, and in heavy wind. I felt that Beneteau "designed in" the smaller sail area, and the boat sailed very well under full sail. However, the furler did occasionally jam. When reefed, both the outhaul and the reefing line would stretch a bit under load, so that after a half hour the sail was no longer the flat shape desired under these conditions. As a result, we would usually just sail with the main totally deployed or furled, and for that, the furler was usually fine. By the way, some systems work much more smoothly on one tack rather than the other, due to the slot design. Obviously, some makes must work better than others, and maybe Selden has got it right. Still, if for no other reason than weight aloft, I can't imagine having an in-mast system. In boom, maybe, as it sure would make life simpler. By the way, the Beneteau was in the dealer's fleet, so it was not a question of installation error, or poor maintenance.
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Jack
Very Happy With Mine Too!
I have a main furler system on my Benteau 370. I too would never go back to the old way again! I have experienced a minor snag, maybe 2x all season, but, it was only and always on deploying the sail, NOT furling it in. It seems that the furling line as the outhaul is winched, on occasion, did not spiral itself properly around the spool inside the mast. A slight tug on the furling line takes care of the problem. The other big advantage is the unlimited reef points and the loose footed sail gives you many options on sail shape. I would never go back to the old way. Good Luck, Jack Oceanis 370
I have a main furler system on my Benteau 370. I too would never go back to the old way again! I have experienced a minor snag, maybe 2x all season, but, it was only and always on deploying the sail, NOT furling it in. It seems that the furling line as the outhaul is winched, on occasion, did not spiral itself properly around the spool inside the mast. A slight tug on the furling line takes care of the problem. The other big advantage is the unlimited reef points and the loose footed sail gives you many options on sail shape. I would never go back to the old way. Good Luck, Jack Oceanis 370
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warren feldstein
No complaints
We have in mast furling our our 460. Absolutely no complaints. If I could do it again, I would Warren
We have in mast furling our our 460. Absolutely no complaints. If I could do it again, I would Warren
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Charlie Gruetzner
Love mine!!!!
I have the in-mast furling system on my Beneteau 361 and have not had one problem for the two seasons i have sailed the boat. I would defintely do it again if I ever get another boat
I have the in-mast furling system on my Beneteau 361 and have not had one problem for the two seasons i have sailed the boat. I would defintely do it again if I ever get another boat
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Kevin McGrath
Furling main
I have a Hood Stowaway system on for my main and I love it. I find that I sail more with both sails.
I have a Hood Stowaway system on for my main and I love it. I find that I sail more with both sails.
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Scott Narum
Thanks!
It appears the jury is somewhat split, but overall there are more people who like the in-mast main. I wish there were performance comparisons (polar charts??) available of traditional mainsail vs in-mast furling main for the same boat. That would be the best.
It appears the jury is somewhat split, but overall there are more people who like the in-mast main. I wish there were performance comparisons (polar charts??) available of traditional mainsail vs in-mast furling main for the same boat. That would be the best.
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Len Fagan
In Mast Furling
I have a Seldon in mast furling system on my 450. I would not want to be without it. Makes sailing and reefing a joy. I would assume some performance hit as compared to full batten main but its worth the sacrifice. If mechanisim were to fail you can lower sail with halyard which I do at end of season to remove sail. Len Fagan Tale Winds
I have a Seldon in mast furling system on my 450. I would not want to be without it. Makes sailing and reefing a joy. I would assume some performance hit as compared to full batten main but its worth the sacrifice. If mechanisim were to fail you can lower sail with halyard which I do at end of season to remove sail. Len Fagan Tale Winds
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John Richard
In-mast is the best way to go...
We have it on our 410 and are really glad we do. No longer do you have to go out of the cockpit. There are a few musts however. One, always keep the main halyard tight. This will prevent jambing. Two, it's best to be on a port tack with the Selden furling system. This way the sail will roll smoothly into the mast. Finally, when bringing the sail in, do so slowly with tension on the outhaul with the right hand and pulling the furler with the left. This alone will make for a proper roll-up. It really is very quick and easy, especially for a 58-year-old body! John Richard s/v Jack's Place
We have it on our 410 and are really glad we do. No longer do you have to go out of the cockpit. There are a few musts however. One, always keep the main halyard tight. This will prevent jambing. Two, it's best to be on a port tack with the Selden furling system. This way the sail will roll smoothly into the mast. Finally, when bringing the sail in, do so slowly with tension on the outhaul with the right hand and pulling the furler with the left. This alone will make for a proper roll-up. It really is very quick and easy, especially for a 58-year-old body! John Richard s/v Jack's Place
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Kenneth Pfaff
Love our Seldon In-mast Furling
We have the Seldon in-mast furling on our 2001 Hunter 290, and we just love it. Easy to deploy, easy to reef, an inifinte number of reef points. When I made my decision I was less concerned with preformance loss than a I was with ease of furling. My wife hates to heel so this has help a lot.
We have the Seldon in-mast furling on our 2001 Hunter 290, and we just love it. Easy to deploy, easy to reef, an inifinte number of reef points. When I made my decision I was less concerned with preformance loss than a I was with ease of furling. My wife hates to heel so this has help a lot.
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Bruce
Furling Mainsail
Scott: Always thought my autopilot was the greatest sailing aid. The in-mast furling main, however, makes sail handling a delight. We added an electric winch for the furling line. Slight tension on the outhaul to control tightness of rollup, a touch of the winch button and presto - in ALL weather conditions and points of sail - reefed or fully furled in seconds. CAUTION: The glue-on sail numbers peeled off one side, rolled up inside the mast and jammed the sail between upper
Scott: Always thought my autopilot was the greatest sailing aid. The in-mast furling main, however, makes sail handling a delight. We added an electric winch for the furling line. Slight tension on the outhaul to control tightness of rollup, a touch of the winch button and presto - in ALL weather conditions and points of sail - reefed or fully furled in seconds. CAUTION: The glue-on sail numbers peeled off one side, rolled up inside the mast and jammed the sail between upper
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