In-mast furling systems

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Tom Arntson

Hi Guys, I'm in the process of purchasing a Hunter 386 with in-mast furling system. I wanted an in-boom but the dealer is trying to talk me out of it, resale and all that. They said it is the way to go. Another, owner said don't risk it, get regular system with Batt cars and you will be happy. Your best advise, Thanks Tom Arntson
 
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Rick Dalton

In Mast Furling

I have a 1999 h380 w/In Mast Furling. I can think of arguments for the system and against it. If your plan is to only use your boat for cruising/daysails, you can't beat the ability to put away the sail and get on to the more serious partying fun. If your plan is to race your boat occasionally, you might find yourself frustrated with the lack of sail shape you'll need to keep up with boats that have things like; battens, and a main with a full roach,(negetive roach on roller systems = smaller sail area). If you go with the roller system, the very first thing I would want if I ever do it over again, is to have the dealer give me a credit for the sails that come with the boat and have a local sailmaker actually measure the rig and build a sail that fits. Those Chinese UK sails are not always quite right. My main sail is OK, however my friend has a h410 with the same system, and his OEM sail looks like a bad load of laundry hanging out in the wind with all the wrinkles. He's had it recut and it still looks bad. I almost forgot one of the best things about the roller system, when it comes time to reef the sail, it's excellent! Just roll it in a little or a little more. Hope this helps, Rick
 
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R. Young

Check sailnet.com

WWW.SAILNET.COM has an article about this subject. Personnaly, If I had the bucks I would lean towards an in-boom system for reasons expressed in the article. Since Im not willing to spend the bucks, I would go with what the article finally went with. Good reading.
 
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Paul

resale?

I think that having a furling system will certainly be an advantage when the time comes to sell your boat down the road. The reason: many boats are coming out of the factory with mainsail furling, so there are more boats out there every day that are equipped. These are the boats that yours will be competing against on the secondary market someday. Remember when headsail furling was a rare luxury? Just try to sell a boat with a hanked-on jib nowadays. Probably the only reason your salesman is trying to talk you out of in-boom furling is because he doesn't have it to sell. Hunters have in-mast furling as a factory option, so he'll say anything to make that seem more advantageous. Most sailors given an even choice would probably opt for in-boom furling, because we've all been raised on full-length battens and roached mains. You don't get either of those things with in-mast furling. Read, study, and make an intelligent choice. Just don't base it on anything a boat salesman says. Good Luck! Paul sv Escape Artist h336
 
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Les Blackwell

I have a Hunter 380 with roller furling

My main is in the mast roller furled and I have had it since June of 1999. So far it has been more than excellent. The boat is reasonably light so I tend to reef the main around 15-18 knts of wind. Early reefing seems to increase speed which I think is the result of having the boat upright. I've looked into the in-boom reefing and have read a number of articles. My (this is my personal thoughts and imply nothing on anybody else) concern for the inboom reefing is the outhaul and flattening the main. I can flatten the main with the mast furling but I'm not sure I could do that with the in boom furling. As with all innovations it has taken me some time to learn how to sail this main. It took me two years before I discovered that I could leave the outhaul where it was and take in on the roller furling line--the result was a flatter main all the way around. Nifty! If I need to reef, I let the outhaul go and then lock it down. Then back the furling line to flatten the sail. It is a very easy sail to use and I like that when you're pushing seventy of age. Quality is about par for UK. I might ask for a credit as was suggested and go for Doyle sails. They want Hunter's business anyway. Enjoy your new Hunter. Its a good boat.
 
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Chuck Wayne

in mast furling

go with the in-mast-properly set up, it works great and furls easily-but refuse to take those UK bedsheets! Hunter should be ashamed to put those sails (their term) on their boats. we've had no problems with the selden furling on our 356, even in heavy winds, but we're having Doyle build us a new suit this winter.
 
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