I second Chuck. Years ago I sailed on a big boat for 10 months with roller furling, up and down the east coast to Haiti, to Bermuda a couple times etc., so lots of wind from time to time. Given the choice I suppose I'd go with slab reefing but roller furling (on that boat, anyway) worked just fine. I don't think you need to feel you must replace the roller furling. You do need to be able to put a vang on the main but there are ways to do that with roller furling.Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial St.
Portland ME 04101
207/772-2191
Fax 207/774-3940
This email is from a law firm and may contain information
that is privileged or confidential. If you suspect
you were not intended to receive this email,
please delete it and contact us.
From: Chuck Rose
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 10:54 AM
To:
AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Furling mainsail Aloha John,
I can't think of any reason to change from roller to slab reefing unless you needed to replace the boom and main sail. Fixing a stuck roller mechanism would be much easier and less costly than converting. Consider that, to do it "Right", you would have to have the sail re-cut and have reef points added. The boom itself should be replaced, I have been told, as the round section boom is not as strong as an oval or rectangular boom and the bolt rope at the foot of the sail precludes proper tying in of a reef. The mast should be fitted with a track for the forward boom end to ride in which will require a cunningham to tension the luff. You're talking serious expense without adding anything to the value of the boat. Even just adding reef points to your existing main, which IMO is just half-stepping the conversion, will cost several hundred dollars at a good sailmaker.
It is just not cost-effective in my opinion. If my entire rig went over the side, I would probably replace it with a conventional slab reefing rig but it might be more economical, given the current economic setting, to buy another Vega for the parts.
Performance wise, slab reefing is probably superior on the order of hanked on head sails over roller furlers but how much is the marginal performance advantage worth on a boat like the Vega?
I suppose the main reason people convert to slab reefing is that they are familiar with it and have no experience with the roller system. Most of us tend to prefer that to which we are accustomed over the unfamiliar.
Anyway, that's my $2.00 worth ($.02 adjusted for inflation)
"Fair Winds"
Chuck Rose
SV Lealea, V1860
Albin Vega - American Vega Association. Vega 27 sailing, cruising, living aboard, maintenance, repairs, events, information.
americanvega.org
) reefing system -