This has probably been asked before, but, what are the problems with in mast roller furling mains? I have heard that they jam and can not be put away if that happens. Also that reefing is not efficient due to sail shape. That they are hard to reef in a blow. That they are generally inefficient due to shape and lack of battens. That the rig and hard ware add a lot of weight up top causing the boat to heel early. I am considering a 42' boat with in mast furling which would be used for cruising, not racing. Having said that, I still want the thing to sail reasonably well and with out constant problems. Is pointing a big problem and what about loss of speed? Any help that you can give me on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dave
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Les Blackwell
I've used a main roller furling gear for 4 years
Roller furling mains have not been around for that long so there is still a learning curve going on. Most books on sail trim do not mention furling mains. I use to race my Hunter 35.5 and did well in the racing circuit but now I cruise and do so with a B&R rig and a furling main. It has taken me awhile to learn how to use this sail. One of the things that those new to furling main forget that your reefing line can be a source of control for your main. For example, if you have the main all the way out and the wind pipes up--many people start to furl their main. Another possibility is to use the furnling line to tighten and flatten the main. The furling gear flattens the whole main effectively. Don't let the outhaul go as in reefing but just flatten the main with your reefing line. On the other hand, if on a beam reach, etc., you can let the outhaul go and have much fuller main, almost like having two jibs. I really like having a non-footed main. It is a very versatile sail. My research into boom furling of the main is that I don't see at the moment a way to tighten the outhaul. If someone has the solution for that I would like to know about it. It is just a matter of time until someone develops a way to take care of that problem. As to the sound made by the slot on the mast--this has been solved in two different ways. The B&R rigs (and I believe the other brands as well) have designed slots that do not whistle or moan. Mine hasn't made a sound in four years. However, if you have a mast that does such a thing, you can attach a device ( I believe it slides up the slot) that will modify the opening and reduce or eliminate the sound. A friend of mine has one and his Sabre and it does work. The advantage of the roller furling main has several advantages: 1) no need for a main sail cover or the need to cover your main; 2) quicker use of the main when the wind pipes up and quicker ability to reef when necessary; 3) much easier to use the main for those of us who "do not want to go gentle into that good night", i.e., the senior sailor and 4) your sail will last longer according to sail makers therefore in essence, be cost effective.
Roller furling mains have not been around for that long so there is still a learning curve going on. Most books on sail trim do not mention furling mains. I use to race my Hunter 35.5 and did well in the racing circuit but now I cruise and do so with a B&R rig and a furling main. It has taken me awhile to learn how to use this sail. One of the things that those new to furling main forget that your reefing line can be a source of control for your main. For example, if you have the main all the way out and the wind pipes up--many people start to furl their main. Another possibility is to use the furnling line to tighten and flatten the main. The furling gear flattens the whole main effectively. Don't let the outhaul go as in reefing but just flatten the main with your reefing line. On the other hand, if on a beam reach, etc., you can let the outhaul go and have much fuller main, almost like having two jibs. I really like having a non-footed main. It is a very versatile sail. My research into boom furling of the main is that I don't see at the moment a way to tighten the outhaul. If someone has the solution for that I would like to know about it. It is just a matter of time until someone develops a way to take care of that problem. As to the sound made by the slot on the mast--this has been solved in two different ways. The B&R rigs (and I believe the other brands as well) have designed slots that do not whistle or moan. Mine hasn't made a sound in four years. However, if you have a mast that does such a thing, you can attach a device ( I believe it slides up the slot) that will modify the opening and reduce or eliminate the sound. A friend of mine has one and his Sabre and it does work. The advantage of the roller furling main has several advantages: 1) no need for a main sail cover or the need to cover your main; 2) quicker use of the main when the wind pipes up and quicker ability to reef when necessary; 3) much easier to use the main for those of us who "do not want to go gentle into that good night", i.e., the senior sailor and 4) your sail will last longer according to sail makers therefore in essence, be cost effective.
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Bryce Grefe
outhaul on boom furling
Les, I have a Furlboom in-boom furler on my 410. The Furlboom does have an outhaul "effect", in that during the first 180 degrees of foil turn, two things happen. 1) the clew of the sail is pulled back by around 2-4 inches and 2) approximately the center third of the foot of the sail is tensioned. This has the same effect as the outhaul, in that it flattens the sail and moves the draft somewhat forward. I beleive Leisure Furl has a similiar approach. Bryce S/V Spellbinder
Les, I have a Furlboom in-boom furler on my 410. The Furlboom does have an outhaul "effect", in that during the first 180 degrees of foil turn, two things happen. 1) the clew of the sail is pulled back by around 2-4 inches and 2) approximately the center third of the foot of the sail is tensioned. This has the same effect as the outhaul, in that it flattens the sail and moves the draft somewhat forward. I beleive Leisure Furl has a similiar approach. Bryce S/V Spellbinder
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Francis
mast furler system
Where and how does a boom furler system work.Where can you get info on the boom furler. I would like to know if it would work on a Mac26X? Thanks
Where and how does a boom furler system work.Where can you get info on the boom furler. I would like to know if it would work on a Mac26X? Thanks
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Warren
I'll get a boom furler next time
My title line says it all. The mast furling main always jams if there's a slack on the main. Sail shape is also not all that great. If you're a day sailer, it's ok. But, just make sure there's no slack whatsover or else you will always be jamming it.
My title line says it all. The mast furling main always jams if there's a slack on the main. Sail shape is also not all that great. If you're a day sailer, it's ok. But, just make sure there's no slack whatsover or else you will always be jamming it.
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Greg Jones
So far so good w/ in-mast furler
Hi Dave, I've had an O'D 25 and 26. The 25 w/regular main sail the 26 with an in-mast furler. Given the nature of the boat(family type crusier) and my day-sailing tendencies(as opposed to racing), I've thoroughly enjoyed the in-mast system on the 26. Get out and in that much faster so you sail for a longer time period, and I've had virtually no jamming problems in the previous 3 seasons of sailing. Lastly, I have noticed no real difference in sailing ability between the 25 and 26 with the different types of mains. Could be a different story if I raced more, but for me the in-mast system benefits outweigh any of its perceived/real shortcomings. Good luck Greg
Hi Dave, I've had an O'D 25 and 26. The 25 w/regular main sail the 26 with an in-mast furler. Given the nature of the boat(family type crusier) and my day-sailing tendencies(as opposed to racing), I've thoroughly enjoyed the in-mast system on the 26. Get out and in that much faster so you sail for a longer time period, and I've had virtually no jamming problems in the previous 3 seasons of sailing. Lastly, I have noticed no real difference in sailing ability between the 25 and 26 with the different types of mains. Could be a different story if I raced more, but for me the in-mast system benefits outweigh any of its perceived/real shortcomings. Good luck Greg
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