In Mast Main VS Conventional Main Wear & Tear?

[sigbear]

Many of the late model sailboats now have in mast/boom main sail, I know you loose some performance with the in mast, but how does the sail hold up in the mast/boom in the hot summer sun furled up in an aluminum oven? What about winter weather wear?

The in mast/boom main sail seems like a nice convenience for older folks like myself, my concern is premature wear & tear compared to conventional sails.

Your comments please,

Sigbear

 

[sailaway78]

I have a friend

Who has a newer H36, with in mast furling. From what I have seen when on his boat, it seems the sail does run quite a bit when being furled/unfurled. Not sure what effect this has on the sail, but would not think it would do it any good. That said, it certainly has advantages, particularly for older sailors, when performance is not the primary concern.

 

[PaulK]

If you're getting older it will probably be easier to unsnag a sail that's been rolled up in the boom than it would be to climb up to the second set of spreaders to free a stuck line there.

 

[chuckwayne]

we've had in-mast on our H356 for 9 years and haven't seen any evidence of unusual wear. The main is protected inside the mast, and in the winter on the hard we take the sail off. If properly used and maintained, jams are extremely rare.

 

[shemandr]

I've had mine four years now. We have the vertical battens. Overall I haven't noticed deterioration of the sail due to being housed in the mast related to heat or anything.
We have had some jams and part of the leech is perhaps stretched due to the freeing process (Search past threads). There is no folding the sail so it doesn't suffer from the creasing. Mine comes off the boat for the winter.
With the vertical battens, excess flogging of the sail has caused the batten to blast through the lower end of the batten pocket - several times. If you can imagine a thirty foot batten flexing repeatedly several feet each way you can see the force on that batten pocket end.
Overall with in mast furling I question how much of a labor saver it really is. A Dutchman system or lazy jacks and a stackpack may be easier but I haven't had these on this boat so its hard to compare. On the 356 the boom is too high to put a sail cover on.

 

[seadaddler]

In Florida

My 07 H-36 in mast is great so easy reefing and no sail cover or lazy jacks to worry about.
Two summers in NY removed the sail for 1 winter now in Florida for 2 years and have not seen any wear on the sail,I don't point into the wind much any more so a lot less flogging of the sail, living in Florida and also retired I get to do so much more sailing now and have learned to reef and furl on the fly more so than always pointing into the wind causing less flogging.
I love inmast and don't race so for me it is the best thing I ever did when ordering my boat.
Nick

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Re: In Florida

I agree with Nick - can't beat it for singlehandling either. Good not to have to fool with the sailcover in gusty winds ....another plus is you can reef it in a hurry.

Haven't noticed any wear on mine after 2 1/2 seasons and I furl and unfurl often.

 

[jibes138]

Don't be fooled by industry representatives selling you on the merits of these systems. Keep an open mind and consider the pros and cons. Make a list of each, and then make a decision based on the benefits. KISS is a wonderful thing. i always liked the story I read about the guy that cruised the east coast for years making sails out of winter cover tarps tossed in dumpsters. You don't need all this fancy equipment to push the boat along and have a good time. All you need is food, drink, a place to do your business and a boat that isn't sinking. On the other hand a nice Open 60 with all the satellite equipment is pretty cool.

 

[wflowe2]

Had in-mast for years and have not seen excessive wear on the sail. It is actually better for a sail to be rolled for storage than to be folded/creased. I have both left the sail in the mast year round through very hot midwest summers and very cold winters, and removed it in the winter. No visible difference. I would not buy a new boat of 30' or more without in-mast furling. I single hand in much higher winds than I would with a conventional main that requires reefing when the wind picks up. I don't "officially" race but I sure don't get left behind by similar boats with conventional mains and in very light winds, the loose footed main is a real advantage.