I have read a lot on the pros and cons of in-mast furlers. The most common fear seems to be that you can't lower the main in an emergency if the furler jams. Has anyone personally experienced this situation and how did it end?
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Into the wind
I have used in-mast furling for the past two seasons. I have never had it jam. We always keep a bit of tension on the outhaul when furling to prevent the bunching that leads to jamming. When it comes time to reef the main, you most definitely have to be facing right into the wind. With strong winds coming across the beam, you cannot furl even using the winch.
I have used in-mast furling for the past two seasons. I have never had it jam. We always keep a bit of tension on the outhaul when furling to prevent the bunching that leads to jamming. When it comes time to reef the main, you most definitely have to be facing right into the wind. With strong winds coming across the beam, you cannot furl even using the winch.
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Walt Allensworth
Had one slip outta the track...
A couple of years ago we rented a Beneteau 402CC out of Tortola. For some unknown reason the lower 3-4 feet of the sail pulled out of the track inside of the mast, right at the bottom of the luff (near the foot of the sail). It was no biggie, and we just put a couple of wraps around the core to make sure it didn't get any worse, and continued sailing to the base in Virgin Gorda where we quickly fixed it with the help of one of the employees there. Oh, another fun thing we had happen which is probably related.... The very first time we unfurled the main sail we had all of the ball-bearings fall out of the little traveler "car" the main outhaul was tied to (at the clew of the sail). Apparently the stopper at the end of the furling track on the boom had been overstressed (probably by the charterers before us) and when we pulled the main out to the end of the track the stopper fell right off and all of the ball-bearings fell out. At first I thought they were coming out of the mast-head bearing (thank God they were not!). We scurried around chasing ball-bearings in the cockpit until we found enough, and stuck them back into the "car" and fashioned a jury fix. The Moorings sent someone around to Cane Garden bay with a new traveler car and fixed the stopper that night. Anyhoo... so be careful about cranking too hard on the outhaul once it hits the stops!
A couple of years ago we rented a Beneteau 402CC out of Tortola. For some unknown reason the lower 3-4 feet of the sail pulled out of the track inside of the mast, right at the bottom of the luff (near the foot of the sail). It was no biggie, and we just put a couple of wraps around the core to make sure it didn't get any worse, and continued sailing to the base in Virgin Gorda where we quickly fixed it with the help of one of the employees there. Oh, another fun thing we had happen which is probably related.... The very first time we unfurled the main sail we had all of the ball-bearings fall out of the little traveler "car" the main outhaul was tied to (at the clew of the sail). Apparently the stopper at the end of the furling track on the boom had been overstressed (probably by the charterers before us) and when we pulled the main out to the end of the track the stopper fell right off and all of the ball-bearings fell out. At first I thought they were coming out of the mast-head bearing (thank God they were not!). We scurried around chasing ball-bearings in the cockpit until we found enough, and stuck them back into the "car" and fashioned a jury fix. The Moorings sent someone around to Cane Garden bay with a new traveler car and fixed the stopper that night. Anyhoo... so be careful about cranking too hard on the outhaul once it hits the stops!
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Jim
Roller Furling
I have had no problems with the in-mast furling on my Passage 450 once I figured out how everything worked. I've furled in winds to 25 kts by loosing the mainsheet to luff the main while wrapping the "in-furl" line on a winch. I've also used a winch handle on the mast-mounted furling "winch" that the furling line runs through, which puts you out of the cockpit but provides a tremendous advantage in efficiency over furling with the furling lines. I can also tell you that every sailor I've taken out who doesn't have roller furling has commented that it would be awfully nice to have it. And be sure to follow Dave's advice of keeping a little tension on the outhaul to ensure that your sail furls cleanly.
I have had no problems with the in-mast furling on my Passage 450 once I figured out how everything worked. I've furled in winds to 25 kts by loosing the mainsheet to luff the main while wrapping the "in-furl" line on a winch. I've also used a winch handle on the mast-mounted furling "winch" that the furling line runs through, which puts you out of the cockpit but provides a tremendous advantage in efficiency over furling with the furling lines. I can also tell you that every sailor I've taken out who doesn't have roller furling has commented that it would be awfully nice to have it. And be sure to follow Dave's advice of keeping a little tension on the outhaul to ensure that your sail furls cleanly.
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Pete Peterson
K
Kevin
No problems
absolutely no problems after one season on a 3 year old boat. wouldn't trade it for anything, particularly since I single-hand much of the time.
absolutely no problems after one season on a 3 year old boat. wouldn't trade it for anything, particularly since I single-hand much of the time.
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Bill
Trade off
There is a trade off being you lose a little in preformance, however the ease and speed at which one can operate the main is great. We were motoring out of the C & D canal and turned into the wind and with in 5 sec the sail was out and set. The trick is to keep a little tention on the outhaul while wrapping the sail up.
There is a trade off being you lose a little in preformance, however the ease and speed at which one can operate the main is great. We were motoring out of the C & D canal and turned into the wind and with in 5 sec the sail was out and set. The trick is to keep a little tention on the outhaul while wrapping the sail up.
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Pete
No problems yet
On a Catalina 34, I've had no problems. I find that I am much more likely to reef to keep the boat balanced. It's great not to have to leave the cockpit to manage the sales. The compromise on performance is worth the ease of sail handling, especially since I sail solo so often.
On a Catalina 34, I've had no problems. I find that I am much more likely to reef to keep the boat balanced. It's great not to have to leave the cockpit to manage the sales. The compromise on performance is worth the ease of sail handling, especially since I sail solo so often.
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Bill lowe
Thanks
Thanks for your responses. Apparently the emergency jamming situation is not as likely as some "experts" would like you to believe. Unless you are a racing fanatic I don't see any real downside to in-mast furling.
Thanks for your responses. Apparently the emergency jamming situation is not as likely as some "experts" would like you to believe. Unless you are a racing fanatic I don't see any real downside to in-mast furling.
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