Hood In Mast Furling systems

Stu Jackson · Apr 18, 2009

DJW, some more input, please

A little bit more info would be helpful. What size and kind of boat? How old is the boat at least, since you did state that you did not know how old the furling is? What do you need to know, more specifically? Try this: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=101386

Reason is some smaller units may work just fine, but larger ones have different characteristics. Like, CDI (jib furling, and I know you're NOT talking about that, but mast furling, just as an example, though), some love them for smaller boats, but do not appreciate their larger models, or features like the optional ball bearing kit for the drum swivel. Ya know, things like that...

sailaway78 · Apr 18, 2009

Stu is pretty well on the money

Have some friends with a newer Hunter 36, with in mast furling. It has to be furled in a very precise manner, or will give problems when unfurling. They previously had a Hunter 33, with the same in mast furling, never had a problem with it. Seems that the mast cross section is the same, and the bigger sail of the 36 is right at the limits. A smallish wrinkle when furling, mades for an adventure when getting it out. Have read several threads about this, some say furl on a starboard tack, some say the boom must be level. Others have different ideas. Is wonderful when it works though.

seadaddler · Apr 19, 2009

No Problem

I have a 2007 H-36 and have not had a problem with it jamming up yet and going on my third season with it.
Read the Selden manual for the furling Inmast for the proper way,must be doing something wrong for it to be jamming.
The Hood might be an after market unit so I would want to try sailing with it before buying.
Nick

bobtigar · Apr 19, 2009

I have a 30+ yr old Morgan OI with a hood "Stowaway" system-in mast. Has operated just fine. Bob

Idratherbesailing · Apr 19, 2009

I'e got a Hood Stowaway system on a 1979 Gulfstar 37. Works fine, but there are two areas you have to be careful with.

1. You need to keep a slight tension on the outhaul of the sail when rolling it back into the mast. Otherwise, you can get a slight wrinkle or lump of sail which can cause a jam when retracting. Not usually a problem, because you notice, roll it back out a little, and then start again.

2. a more serious issue is that you have to be standing in front of the mast during the rolling in and out as that is where the mechanism is. So you have to leave the cockpit, climb up on the cabin top and roll and unroll. Since I singlehand a lot, this is an issue I did not have on my previous 33hunter, that had in mast roller furling, but could be operated from the cockpit. If you are going to the expense of having roller furling, from the cockpit is safer and easier.

Also, parts for these older Hood systems may be difficult to get. I haven't needed any, but so far have only found one spot that people "tell me" I can get parts.

Idratherbesailing · Apr 19, 2009

One more thing on the Hood Systems. they have a relatively large slot, so the jamming problems are minimal, BUT....if you keep your boat at a dock and are subject to winds that blow across the mast from the side, you get a sound like wind across a bottle. Everyone that I know that has these masts has this problem. If you are moored, and the boat can point into the wind, no problem, but at the dock you will hear it. Makes a 12 knot wind sound like 40 knots if it is from the right (wrong?) direction.

Barnacle Bill · Apr 20, 2009

The Hood in mast furling system was the first system developed in the U.S. by luminary Ted Hood. Hood mast parts are now found under Pompanette in Florida, but don't know if they have anything for such old systems. Catalina does not use Selden Spar products and the Hunter does. The Selden In Mast system is great and that is why not too many people complain about them. Not sure why you are looking for a boat with a Hood Stow-a-way mast when you can look for a boat with a Selden in mast furling system.