I just got back from the Annapolis boat show and spent some time looking at all the new stuff that is available and I was quite interested in the boom furling systems. I know you lose some performance and all that but I sail alone alot on my 89 H-30 and as I get older I am also getting lazier. My question is, has anyone retrofitted their boat with one of these,who makes a good one and how expensive was it. Also does this system help when it is time to sell the boat and does it increase the value when compared to a boat without one. I appreciate any comments anyone has and Thanks in advance.
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Jim Logan
Add-on mast furling
I have Forespar add-on mainsail furling system on my 1980 H33. I am not even sure if Forespar makes this same sort of furler now, since it is about 9 years old. But, it is the best thing on the boat. It is actually easier to furl and unfurl the main than the Harken Mark II jib furler. It makes sailing so much easier, that you don't even think much about going by yourself. On the older conventional rig hunters, you don't lose as much performance as you think, since the mailsail usually needs to be reefed early to prevent weather helm, and much of the power for the boat is made up of what the genoa provides - In later hunters with B&R rig I suppose it would be much different, since they were designed for a large, roached mainsail and small jib. Anyway, I know they are expensive, but I have never had any trouble with this one, and the infinately adjustable reef feature is nice - makes it very easy to balance the boat. I'd buy another.
I have Forespar add-on mainsail furling system on my 1980 H33. I am not even sure if Forespar makes this same sort of furler now, since it is about 9 years old. But, it is the best thing on the boat. It is actually easier to furl and unfurl the main than the Harken Mark II jib furler. It makes sailing so much easier, that you don't even think much about going by yourself. On the older conventional rig hunters, you don't lose as much performance as you think, since the mailsail usually needs to be reefed early to prevent weather helm, and much of the power for the boat is made up of what the genoa provides - In later hunters with B&R rig I suppose it would be much different, since they were designed for a large, roached mainsail and small jib. Anyway, I know they are expensive, but I have never had any trouble with this one, and the infinately adjustable reef feature is nice - makes it very easy to balance the boat. I'd buy another.
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Jim Covey
Check out Cruising World
Andrew, Take a look at the October issue of Cruising World. They have an article describing 4 different in-boom furlers. Approximate prices for retrofit shown for a 35' boat (smallest one they list) start at just under $6k and go up to over $8K. Jim Covey s/v Wampeter
Andrew, Take a look at the October issue of Cruising World. They have an article describing 4 different in-boom furlers. Approximate prices for retrofit shown for a 35' boat (smallest one they list) start at just under $6k and go up to over $8K. Jim Covey s/v Wampeter
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Alex
Be aware..
..that add-on in mast furling , has significant negative safety impact, as it brings 'a lot' of undesired weight up there. This add-on can lower the 'Point of no return' angle ( according to technical publications) by 15-20 degrees(!!); while starting at around marginal 115-120 degrees ( as most modern mass production GRP sailboats , counted without furling sails..or later add-ons)the actuall figure may drop to 100 degrees or less , which is much less that any 'offshore' ( not to mention 'ocean') category sailboat standards. I hope Hunter -and others-takes this in account and hopefully add to balast , when offering the in-mast furling option. A carefull buyer with an eye for offshore compatibility, checking the boat "Stability Curve" , lately offered(on demand..) by manufacturers/dealers ( as result of sailing magazines demanding them for their boat tests), should watch for this data ,and how was it measured. As per latest marine publications, new European regulation now 'in the works' , will demand 120 degrees ( or few degrees more) as the minimum for 'offshore category' ( after inquiries of several related sailboats accidents in last couple of years ). Regarding in-Boom furling..it is indeed better both on stability as well as general safety , along with better performance.There are few new design on market , and if found suitable( both on trouble free and maintenance and price), I expect they will replace the current in-mast ones in comming years.
..that add-on in mast furling , has significant negative safety impact, as it brings 'a lot' of undesired weight up there. This add-on can lower the 'Point of no return' angle ( according to technical publications) by 15-20 degrees(!!); while starting at around marginal 115-120 degrees ( as most modern mass production GRP sailboats , counted without furling sails..or later add-ons)the actuall figure may drop to 100 degrees or less , which is much less that any 'offshore' ( not to mention 'ocean') category sailboat standards. I hope Hunter -and others-takes this in account and hopefully add to balast , when offering the in-mast furling option. A carefull buyer with an eye for offshore compatibility, checking the boat "Stability Curve" , lately offered(on demand..) by manufacturers/dealers ( as result of sailing magazines demanding them for their boat tests), should watch for this data ,and how was it measured. As per latest marine publications, new European regulation now 'in the works' , will demand 120 degrees ( or few degrees more) as the minimum for 'offshore category' ( after inquiries of several related sailboats accidents in last couple of years ). Regarding in-Boom furling..it is indeed better both on stability as well as general safety , along with better performance.There are few new design on market , and if found suitable( both on trouble free and maintenance and price), I expect they will replace the current in-mast ones in comming years.
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Gus sanchez
Lazy Cradle
I recently had a Lazy Cradle made by UK installed on my 1987 37 Hunter. The cost was apprx. $900.00 The system is a permanent sailcover installed on your boom, incooperating a lazy jack system. All you do is unzip the top of cover and hoist your sails. Upon returning you drop the sail and zip it up. Nothing mechanical to go wrong. I will never sail another boat without this system. All the charter boats have them. Note: Mack sails and Doyle also makes this system.
I recently had a Lazy Cradle made by UK installed on my 1987 37 Hunter. The cost was apprx. $900.00 The system is a permanent sailcover installed on your boom, incooperating a lazy jack system. All you do is unzip the top of cover and hoist your sails. Upon returning you drop the sail and zip it up. Nothing mechanical to go wrong. I will never sail another boat without this system. All the charter boats have them. Note: Mack sails and Doyle also makes this system.
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Been there
Stability and things up high
What you say is true, Alex. But it is equally true for jib roller furlers, radomes, satellite TV antennas, mast steps, and every other bit of weight placed high. The effect is cumulative, and is proportional to the item's weight multiplied by its distance from center of buoyancy. Dinghies and spare fuel stored on deck are not so high, but often add up to a lot of weight. It all matters.
What you say is true, Alex. But it is equally true for jib roller furlers, radomes, satellite TV antennas, mast steps, and every other bit of weight placed high. The effect is cumulative, and is proportional to the item's weight multiplied by its distance from center of buoyancy. Dinghies and spare fuel stored on deck are not so high, but often add up to a lot of weight. It all matters.
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John Van Stone
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Pete Burger
Furling boom
Andrew, on my 430 ('95 model), I have just finished installing a Furlboom system. I had looked very carefully at the three major manufacturers (Furlboom, Leisure Furl, and Profurl).The booms of the latter two could not be attached to my 430, as they require a straight mast. However I would probably have gone with the Furlboom anyway, based on quality, price and service. It wasn't cheap, and also forced me into a new mainsail. However I now still have a fully-battened mainsail, and although I've only used it four times, can not notice any real difference in performance from my original factory-supplied UK sail. Love being able to douse the sail quickly and not having to wrestle with sail ties and sail covers. And reefing is now a snap - what a differnce from the jiffy (which it wasn't!) reefing that came with the boat. Pete S/V KAILANI
Andrew, on my 430 ('95 model), I have just finished installing a Furlboom system. I had looked very carefully at the three major manufacturers (Furlboom, Leisure Furl, and Profurl).The booms of the latter two could not be attached to my 430, as they require a straight mast. However I would probably have gone with the Furlboom anyway, based on quality, price and service. It wasn't cheap, and also forced me into a new mainsail. However I now still have a fully-battened mainsail, and although I've only used it four times, can not notice any real difference in performance from my original factory-supplied UK sail. Love being able to douse the sail quickly and not having to wrestle with sail ties and sail covers. And reefing is now a snap - what a differnce from the jiffy (which it wasn't!) reefing that came with the boat. Pete S/V KAILANI
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Kit Bradley
Furling boom
Quite an expensive conversion. Try the Dutchman system first. Any sailmaker can retrofit an existing sail and it's inexpensive compared to a furling boom/new sail.
Quite an expensive conversion. Try the Dutchman system first. Any sailmaker can retrofit an existing sail and it's inexpensive compared to a furling boom/new sail.
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