I'm strongly considering adding an in-boom mainsail furling system on my 1995 Catalina 36MKII and am very interested in what others have done. I do not want an in-mast system as, personally, I feel that puts too much weight aloft and when (not if) the system jams dropping the mainsail becomes a very large problem. Catalina now offers BOTH in-mast and in-boom systems and the in-boom system is a Schaefer unit. I've looked at it as well as Leisure Furl and the Hi-Lo system from Europe; the latter has few systems here in the US but hundreds in Europe. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with the Hi-Lo system? Others? Bill Wertz C-366MKII 1450 Lake Michigan
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Bryce Grefe
in boom furlers
Bill, I looked at all the systems last year at Annapolis. I ended up putting a FurlBoom system manufactured by YSA out of CA on my H410. Used this because they were the only company that could accomadate the prebend in the 410 mast. Took a little getting use to but its a great system. I got a slightly larger mainsail, which on the 410 means a faster boat. Reefs at virtually any wind angle. Personally didn't care for the Schaffer system. Felt that with the furling drum at the aft of the boom it was adding a lot of friction. Schaffer also didn't offer the in boom sail cover that both Leisure Furl and FurlBoom offerd. I stick with either Leisure Furl or FurlBoom. They have a lot of experience with these systems. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
Bill, I looked at all the systems last year at Annapolis. I ended up putting a FurlBoom system manufactured by YSA out of CA on my H410. Used this because they were the only company that could accomadate the prebend in the 410 mast. Took a little getting use to but its a great system. I got a slightly larger mainsail, which on the 410 means a faster boat. Reefs at virtually any wind angle. Personally didn't care for the Schaffer system. Felt that with the furling drum at the aft of the boom it was adding a lot of friction. Schaffer also didn't offer the in boom sail cover that both Leisure Furl and FurlBoom offerd. I stick with either Leisure Furl or FurlBoom. They have a lot of experience with these systems. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
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Paul
you'll laugh, you'll cry...
... you'll kiss ten thousand bucks goodbye! That's not counting the new mainsail that you'll need, regardless of what the salesmen said at the boat show. I researched this for a couple of years, but it just isn't worth it. I've learned to love my reefing tackle. If money is no object, read the superficial albeit broad article in last month's Sail Magazine (hey, they've got ad space to sell!). No real judgements here, Sail doesn't want to hurt anyone's self-esteem. You can try to read between the lines, though. You could also go to the Practical Sailor website and pay for a copy of their report from several years ago--much narrower because there were fewer players--which picked Leisure Furl.
... you'll kiss ten thousand bucks goodbye! That's not counting the new mainsail that you'll need, regardless of what the salesmen said at the boat show. I researched this for a couple of years, but it just isn't worth it. I've learned to love my reefing tackle. If money is no object, read the superficial albeit broad article in last month's Sail Magazine (hey, they've got ad space to sell!). No real judgements here, Sail doesn't want to hurt anyone's self-esteem. You can try to read between the lines, though. You could also go to the Practical Sailor website and pay for a copy of their report from several years ago--much narrower because there were fewer players--which picked Leisure Furl.
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Bryce Grefe
cost of safety and ease of handling
I read both the PS and Sail articles about in boom furling systems and I didn't think either gave much of an opinion about the best system. In fact the Sail article shouldn't have been published. There were several mis-statements and down right errors about a couple of the in-boom systems in the Sail article. The PS article was more info about what was out there than which was the best. I made the decision to do something to ease the mainsail handling on my 410 last summer after getting caught in a squall in which we expereinced 70 knot winds, with the second reef set in my mainsail. I looked at both in-mast and in-boom furling systems and decided on in-boom for all the reasons outlined in both articles, better sail shape, full batten sail, ease of handling, larger mainsail (when compared to in-mast systems). Costs of the in-mast vs. in-boom were almost indentical when complete and installed. So that wasn't the main issue. Neither system is a cheap date for an after market product. I wouldn't recommend either system as an add on if your not intending to keep the boat for a while. You'll never get the money back. But that can probably be said for most the improvements we've put on our 410. My wife and I sail our 410 short handed most of the time. She stands 5-3 and 110 lbs. soaking wet and there was no way she could handle the large main we had on the 410. It was a pain for me at 6-2 220lbs. With the in-boom system she can reef or furl the main single handed (same can be said about in-mast systems) from the cockpit. To me this is a huge safety factor if I were to ever become incapacitated while sailing. I didn't buy the in-boom system just to have the latest and greatest. To me it was simply safety and IMHO I'll spend money for safety. Hope this puts a satisfied user's opinion into perspective. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
I read both the PS and Sail articles about in boom furling systems and I didn't think either gave much of an opinion about the best system. In fact the Sail article shouldn't have been published. There were several mis-statements and down right errors about a couple of the in-boom systems in the Sail article. The PS article was more info about what was out there than which was the best. I made the decision to do something to ease the mainsail handling on my 410 last summer after getting caught in a squall in which we expereinced 70 knot winds, with the second reef set in my mainsail. I looked at both in-mast and in-boom furling systems and decided on in-boom for all the reasons outlined in both articles, better sail shape, full batten sail, ease of handling, larger mainsail (when compared to in-mast systems). Costs of the in-mast vs. in-boom were almost indentical when complete and installed. So that wasn't the main issue. Neither system is a cheap date for an after market product. I wouldn't recommend either system as an add on if your not intending to keep the boat for a while. You'll never get the money back. But that can probably be said for most the improvements we've put on our 410. My wife and I sail our 410 short handed most of the time. She stands 5-3 and 110 lbs. soaking wet and there was no way she could handle the large main we had on the 410. It was a pain for me at 6-2 220lbs. With the in-boom system she can reef or furl the main single handed (same can be said about in-mast systems) from the cockpit. To me this is a huge safety factor if I were to ever become incapacitated while sailing. I didn't buy the in-boom system just to have the latest and greatest. To me it was simply safety and IMHO I'll spend money for safety. Hope this puts a satisfied user's opinion into perspective. Bryce S/V Spellbinder H410
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frank arndorfer
My vote (and $$$) also
We have a new Hunter 426DS on order and are installing the Leisure Furl boom furling system for almost the exact same reasons as listed by Bruce in the previous post. The whole issue of ease in sail handling is most important to us. I'm still reasonably young enough that I intend to single-hand this boat (my mate likes to sleep while I sail, hence the boat name "At Ease")and the assistance that in-boom furling cannot be overlooked. Additionally it's a nice clean installation, no reefing lines, etc leading back to the cockpit or wherever, etc. Traditionalists not withstanding, what's NOT to like about these systems.????
We have a new Hunter 426DS on order and are installing the Leisure Furl boom furling system for almost the exact same reasons as listed by Bruce in the previous post. The whole issue of ease in sail handling is most important to us. I'm still reasonably young enough that I intend to single-hand this boat (my mate likes to sleep while I sail, hence the boat name "At Ease")and the assistance that in-boom furling cannot be overlooked. Additionally it's a nice clean installation, no reefing lines, etc leading back to the cockpit or wherever, etc. Traditionalists not withstanding, what's NOT to like about these systems.????
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Jeff
2 cents worth
While I do not have a lot of experience with the In Boom Systems I will relate a story that happened in the Gulf this summer. A freind has a 38' Brewer we were taking to Clearwater when we were hit by a storm. With 45knot winds it made using the in boom system a pain with three people trying to get the main down. The sail is fully battened a tended to catch on the sides of the boom. We had to bring the sail down just so, to get to furl right. I am not sure of the brand, and maybe they have gotten better with age , this system about 4 yeas old.. Good luck Jeff
While I do not have a lot of experience with the In Boom Systems I will relate a story that happened in the Gulf this summer. A freind has a 38' Brewer we were taking to Clearwater when we were hit by a storm. With 45knot winds it made using the in boom system a pain with three people trying to get the main down. The sail is fully battened a tended to catch on the sides of the boom. We had to bring the sail down just so, to get to furl right. I am not sure of the brand, and maybe they have gotten better with age , this system about 4 yeas old.. Good luck Jeff
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Paul
mostly a convenience item...
...in my opinion. In a squall, I will always start the engine, turn head to wind and blow the halyard. It's ugly but safe. Nearly every Hunter owner with a boat built since the early 1990s can reef, alone, without leaving the cockpit. I do it all the time. Sure, if I was ordering a new boat, I'd have an in-boom furler installed. My guess is that it would cost half of the equivalent aftermarket version, if you include the cost of the sail. One thing is for sure: eventually nearly every sailboat will have mainsail furling. Even if you get reamed installing it now, your boat will someday be much more desireable on the used boat market.
...in my opinion. In a squall, I will always start the engine, turn head to wind and blow the halyard. It's ugly but safe. Nearly every Hunter owner with a boat built since the early 1990s can reef, alone, without leaving the cockpit. I do it all the time. Sure, if I was ordering a new boat, I'd have an in-boom furler installed. My guess is that it would cost half of the equivalent aftermarket version, if you include the cost of the sail. One thing is for sure: eventually nearly every sailboat will have mainsail furling. Even if you get reamed installing it now, your boat will someday be much more desireable on the used boat market.
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HenryV
don't discount in mast furling
I think people are too quick to judge as to the perceived shortcomings of in mast furling. On my B331 the PHRF difference is 6 seconds per mile. Not what I would consider a major performance loss. Unless you are a serious racer ( in which case you won't have either furling method) I doubt you will notice the missing sail area. On the positive side I have a very reliable furling method that allows me to keep the boat balanced and sailing in high winds. I also like the fact that the loose foot allows me to trim for optimum sail shape whether all of the sail is out or if partially reefed.
I think people are too quick to judge as to the perceived shortcomings of in mast furling. On my B331 the PHRF difference is 6 seconds per mile. Not what I would consider a major performance loss. Unless you are a serious racer ( in which case you won't have either furling method) I doubt you will notice the missing sail area. On the positive side I have a very reliable furling method that allows me to keep the boat balanced and sailing in high winds. I also like the fact that the loose foot allows me to trim for optimum sail shape whether all of the sail is out or if partially reefed.
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