I am looking at getting a late model sailboat, Beneteau, Catalina, or similar in the 38-44 foot range. Many newer boats have these in-mast furling systems. I imagine a 35 knot wind growing to 45 knots, and the sail jammed part way during a reefing attempt. Are these proven, reliable systems, or a snafu waiting to happen? That coupled with the additional weight aloft...anyone with long troublefree passages with these things, or anyone experiencing the kind of problem I've imagined or others, comments appreciated. I just looked at a boat that I liked in every significant way except for the in-mast furling. Thanks.
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Robert Moretti
Look at In-Boom Furling
I seriously considered buying a boat with an in-mast furling system. After researching the matter, I decided not to buy the boat, even though it was exactly what I was looking for in every other way. While in-mast furling systems have been used on ocean-going sailboats, and have proven to be fairly reliable, the same thing can be said about jib roller-furling. And we all know that jib roller-furlers do jam. With in-mast furling, your only option with a partially furled mainsail that has jammed, is to cut the attachment at the clew. Unfortunately, the sail will them pretty well flog itself to death in high winds. In-boom furling appears to be much more promising, though probably no more reliable. But there is a big advantage: If the mechanism jams, you can still drop the sail by releasing the halyard. From what I've read, the biggest disadvantage to the in-boom systems is that you can't do much to adjust the outhaul on a partially furled mainsail.
I seriously considered buying a boat with an in-mast furling system. After researching the matter, I decided not to buy the boat, even though it was exactly what I was looking for in every other way. While in-mast furling systems have been used on ocean-going sailboats, and have proven to be fairly reliable, the same thing can be said about jib roller-furling. And we all know that jib roller-furlers do jam. With in-mast furling, your only option with a partially furled mainsail that has jammed, is to cut the attachment at the clew. Unfortunately, the sail will them pretty well flog itself to death in high winds. In-boom furling appears to be much more promising, though probably no more reliable. But there is a big advantage: If the mechanism jams, you can still drop the sail by releasing the halyard. From what I've read, the biggest disadvantage to the in-boom systems is that you can't do much to adjust the outhaul on a partially furled mainsail.
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Les Blackwell
Main furling is a good system for me.
I have used a main mast furling system since June 1999 and have not experienced to date any problems. Around Puget Sound we don't have suddenly 35 to 45 kts of wind--it increases at a resonable steady rate. As the winds increase we furl the main as it makes it more comfortable for crew. If I did sail in 35 to 45 knts, I'd probably have only three to four feet of main sail out and the same with the jib. I don't understand what could jam on the furling gear unless you broke the mast or the halyard. Both those are preventable with ongoing maintainence. If for some reason it did jam, I'd let the outhaul go and wrap the sail around the mast or lash it down with line. I'd do the same thing with a regular main that got stuck in the up position. The most important part of these scenarios is the attitude of the skipper and how she/he handles problems.
I have used a main mast furling system since June 1999 and have not experienced to date any problems. Around Puget Sound we don't have suddenly 35 to 45 kts of wind--it increases at a resonable steady rate. As the winds increase we furl the main as it makes it more comfortable for crew. If I did sail in 35 to 45 knts, I'd probably have only three to four feet of main sail out and the same with the jib. I don't understand what could jam on the furling gear unless you broke the mast or the halyard. Both those are preventable with ongoing maintainence. If for some reason it did jam, I'd let the outhaul go and wrap the sail around the mast or lash it down with line. I'd do the same thing with a regular main that got stuck in the up position. The most important part of these scenarios is the attitude of the skipper and how she/he handles problems.
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David Foster
Advantages, disadvantages
Advantages: Easy to set/strike (and put away) the main from the cockpit. The Admiral was happy enough to grind away in comfort on the 340 we chartered last summer. Easy, variable reefing. Easy to use. Weight aloft increases the initial stability - the boat will roll more slowly. Disadvantages: Loss of the roach area of the mainsail because of the lack of battens. (But Doyle has introduced a solution.) This means less mainsail area in light air. You could also fly an asymetric. The weight aloft decreases final stability. Adlard's Heavy Weather showed data that in-mast roller furling reduced the angle of vanishing stability by about 30 degrees. The implication is that the mast will be pulling the boat to invert in an extreme roll, and will tend to hold the hull in the inverted position if capsized. Loss of the halyard and Cunningham hole as mainsail tuning devices. More stuff to go wrong. Jams and attachment failures are reported in the archives of this site. My sumary: We would probably get in-mast furling if we were buying a new boat for sailing the Great Lakes. Because of the final stability issue, we would not choose it for extended cruises offshore where we might get caught in heavy storm(s) with no port to run to. David Lady Lillie
Advantages: Easy to set/strike (and put away) the main from the cockpit. The Admiral was happy enough to grind away in comfort on the 340 we chartered last summer. Easy, variable reefing. Easy to use. Weight aloft increases the initial stability - the boat will roll more slowly. Disadvantages: Loss of the roach area of the mainsail because of the lack of battens. (But Doyle has introduced a solution.) This means less mainsail area in light air. You could also fly an asymetric. The weight aloft decreases final stability. Adlard's Heavy Weather showed data that in-mast roller furling reduced the angle of vanishing stability by about 30 degrees. The implication is that the mast will be pulling the boat to invert in an extreme roll, and will tend to hold the hull in the inverted position if capsized. Loss of the halyard and Cunningham hole as mainsail tuning devices. More stuff to go wrong. Jams and attachment failures are reported in the archives of this site. My sumary: We would probably get in-mast furling if we were buying a new boat for sailing the Great Lakes. Because of the final stability issue, we would not choose it for extended cruises offshore where we might get caught in heavy storm(s) with no port to run to. David Lady Lillie
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Larry W.
In-mast furling
John; I have a '94 Beneteau 400 with the in-mast furler. It works reasonably well, once you discover its quirks, but sometimes, in brisk wind, it will not roll up smoothly and a big fold of the sail will jame between the rolled up portion of the sail and the edge of the slot, then it has to be unrolled again and refurled. The big advantage of the system is that you can do everything from the cockpit. Sail shape can suffer and with no roach or battens, the main has little power. If I had it to do over, I'd like to try a boom roller.
John; I have a '94 Beneteau 400 with the in-mast furler. It works reasonably well, once you discover its quirks, but sometimes, in brisk wind, it will not roll up smoothly and a big fold of the sail will jame between the rolled up portion of the sail and the edge of the slot, then it has to be unrolled again and refurled. The big advantage of the system is that you can do everything from the cockpit. Sail shape can suffer and with no roach or battens, the main has little power. If I had it to do over, I'd like to try a boom roller.
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Joe Barrett
Lack of performance
I recently raced my Catalina 320 in a Regatta and there was a Catalina 47 with a furling main in my class. He owed me 65 seconds a mile but I beat him boat for boat.I thought the main looked poor with the leach and foot of the sail coming nowhere near the aft end of the boom.It was way smaller than what he could have had and the boat was brand new. I think you should balance the convienience of the furler against it's performance.
I recently raced my Catalina 320 in a Regatta and there was a Catalina 47 with a furling main in my class. He owed me 65 seconds a mile but I beat him boat for boat.I thought the main looked poor with the leach and foot of the sail coming nowhere near the aft end of the boom.It was way smaller than what he could have had and the boat was brand new. I think you should balance the convienience of the furler against it's performance.
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John Crawford
Thanks
I just wanted to thank everyone for your responses and perspectives. It has been extremely helpful.
I just wanted to thank everyone for your responses and perspectives. It has been extremely helpful.
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Rich
Dependability can be an issue.....
These systems are nice but Ive learned to keep at least 1/2 a wrap on the furling rod (for lack of a better term) to allow furling in high winds. Ive also heard horror stories about cutting out a jammed sail one 6" strip at a time - contact Ian at Sunsails's Vancouver base for more details. And then of course there is the batten issue - I have a full batten main with a stack pack on my B50 and I can raise and lower it by myself in 35 kts. and the sail shape capability of this rig really is superior. Of course a good deal on a used boat with in mast furling would be hard to pass up if that was the only issue.
These systems are nice but Ive learned to keep at least 1/2 a wrap on the furling rod (for lack of a better term) to allow furling in high winds. Ive also heard horror stories about cutting out a jammed sail one 6" strip at a time - contact Ian at Sunsails's Vancouver base for more details. And then of course there is the batten issue - I have a full batten main with a stack pack on my B50 and I can raise and lower it by myself in 35 kts. and the sail shape capability of this rig really is superior. Of course a good deal on a used boat with in mast furling would be hard to pass up if that was the only issue.
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