In mast furling

[Bob S]

We've started looking to move up. I have a question for the in mast furlers. How easy is it to remove the sail from the mast? I step our mast and transport our c30 home every winter. It is quite easy removing the sails and boom myself. Do you leave your sail in the mast or remove it. I have mr sails laundered over the winter.
So far we've been aboard a c34 and a c350. We will be looking at a c387. This will be our last boat so I don't want to rush to a decision. We are cruisers and don't race but sailing characteristic are important. It's really what is available within a reasonable distance. Any comments on the c375? I've seen a few on yachtworld but have never been on one. None nearby and a little above our budget but still would love some imput.
Thanks
Bob

 

[shemandr]

In mast furling sails are only slightly more difficult to remove from the boat than a traditional mainsail. This is not a barrier to buying one. I always took the sail off. I didn't take the mast down in the five years I had the boat but probably would have taken the sail down (Out?) if I did.

 

[Sailm8]

I have only taken mine down twice. Ezee Peezy Hardest part was resetting halyard tension. After the first time I marked the Halyard at the clutch with a piece of tape so I was close to were I had it.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Bob,

We were very anti in mast furler when we started cruising. We had passed on a different 310 and got the one we ended up with because we wanted traditional sails over in mast. My primary fear was that the sail would get stuck partially furled and you wouldn't be able move it either way. We knew several people that had this problem. I was also concerned about sail shape when reefed.

Since we have left and I have spent a lot of time on different boats I have changed my mind. My opinion now is that I wouldn't have an early generation furler, say pre2000. And I wouldn't have a cheap sail on an in mast furler. The quality of sailcloth matters a lot more on in mast over traditional. For these trade offs you could have much easier reefing and furling/flaking of the sail, you get more reefing options and you don't have to remove or lash the sail in a storm. You do get a slightly raised center of effort when reefed and sail shape takes a little to get used to. You need to really haul on the outhaul to get the sail shape flat.

Good luck with your search. It might be out of your price range but the 5 series Catalinas would be top on my list if i was looking for a last boat.

Fair winds,

Jesse

 

[Stu Jackson]

It might be out of your price range but the 5 series Catalinas would be top on my list if i was looking for a last boat.

Good observations, Jesse.

Bob, please also be aware that the 5 series boats are very, very good. They do, however, have their own quirks and issues. You can learn about these issues from the Association websites or Google group for the C355 for example. It would be well worth your time to read them even if you don't intend to buy one. For example, there are many discussions on the in-mast furling systems on the C355 Google group forum. These boats also had major issues with the Jabsco variable speed domestic water pumps, which may have also been on other 5 series boats. I subscribe to the C355 Google group because we (C34IA) manage their membership for them.

 

[Cmp1110]

We just got a 350 this season
I like you was Leary of in mast and wanted a traditional main but there are not many out there really limits your options.
After on season I have to say it's great and I'm glad to have it. Do you give up some performance sure. I turned the corner when we were out with a full boat and the breeze picked up I refer the main and I do not think anyone even knew its that easy!!
There is a learning curve but it does not take long to figure out. One big thing that helped was I changed they out haul and furling line to a no stretch line Samson mlx I think (dyneema core with a cover). Gives way better feel as to what is going on during furling operations

 

[Cmp1110]

Also on larger boats I feel in mast will help on resale

 

[Bob S]

Jesse,
Been thinking about you guys and Matthew. I think it was north of you but I'm sure it was a concern. Safe travels!

Unfortunately e 5 series is out of our price range. I do love the 355. We want something that is big enough to weekend cruise with friends. Anytime we go out with more than the two of us it's for a daysail. I was surprised how big the 34 was compared to our 30 but the aft cabin in a little tight. I love many of the features on the 350 but I'm not a fan of the head bulkhead wall or the salon area. It might be the height verses width. Its Mammoth. I do like the forward and aft cabins. We did get aboard a 380 while on the Vineyard. Turned out to be from our town. You know that Catalina comraderie got us to talking. Nice boat which I assume the 387 is just the newer version of the same boat. I went abound the 385 at the boat show. She loved the jeaneau but I thought the 385 was much richer looking below deck but i do like the lines of the European boats. Maybe my next life. I'd like to get aboard a 36 too but I wand a deck stepped mast and I'm torn on the in mast furlers but as a cruiser I'm sure I will love it. She always hated it when I went forward to drop the sails in a blow. I'm sure they all sail as good or better than our 30. I like the head aft too!
Thanks for the replies

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Jesse,
Been thinking about you guys and Matthew. I think it was north of you but I'm sure it was a concern. Safe travels!

Mathew was actually about 400 moles south of us last week then wrapped around to be about 600 miles east of us. Right now we have Nicole sucking everything north which puts the island of St Thomas between is and her. But she is giving us some south winds making it a little rolly in our anchorage.

If you get down this way I will get you our on the charter boat I am running. So far I have her up around 18 knots under sail. It's a blast and i know she can go faster.

Good luck,

Jease

 

[Solstice]

Good observations, Jesse.

Bob, please also be aware that the 5 series boats are very, very good. They do, however, have their own quirks and issues. You can learn about these issues from the Association websites or Google group for the C355 for example. It would be well worth your time to read them even if you don't intend to buy one. For example, there are many discussions on the in-mast furling systems on the C355 Google group forum. These boats also had major issues with the Jabsco variable speed domestic water pumps, which may have also been on other 5 series boats. I subscribe to the C355 Google group because we (C34IA) manage their membership for them.

Hi Bob,
I think we've spoke in the past on your interests in moving up. Just to follow up on Stu's points. The Jabsco Fresh water pump issue is a function of Jabsco's VSD pumps that have a heat sensor. All the recent Catalina's as well as other production boats have had these installed as factory options. Don't know if they are still equipping them out of the factory with these, but if you were to buy used, chances are they have been swapped out.
I also concur with Jesse. I came very close to ordering a standard mast with my 355 for a premium as I was worried about the same issues mentioned above. Now that I've used it for 6 seasons I wouldn't go back. In Mast furlers have come a long way (I remember the similar concerns about jib furlers many moons ago).
On the 5 series, the issues were related to the spinlock teeth in the clutch being too big for the standard (superior) Dyneema main halyard, which allowed the sail to slip down and come out of the slot. The teeth is a self contained component that was swapped out at no charge to owners and resolved this. Jesse's point about sail quality is spot on. I have not had any issues since.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I have a fair amount of experience with in mast furling mainsails and my experiences have been positive (Selden' Spars). Removing the sail is not difficult - about as easy as removing any mainsail. Some people suggest the shape might be compromised. If you get a sailmaker who knows how to make furling mainsails, that is not an issue for a cruiser either. I have seen very good sail shapes if built properly.