I am in the market for a boat, probably buying within the next 6 months. I would like to hear opinions on the main roller reefing system. My concern is that if needed to be reefed you would loose good sail shape. I have a Hunter 29.5 (95) and my foresail looses shape as a result of roller reefing.
- Status
My experiences with roller reefing
My last four boats had a roller furling jib (genoa) and my present boat (H380) has a roller furling main and jib. The main is furled in the mast and not the boom. After two boats, I had the jib and genoa fitted with a small section on the leading edge toward the center so that as the sail rolled up, it kept its shape fairly well. When I furled the genoa three quarters of the way, it did not have the best shape but in forty knots of wind I only wanted to get home--I wasn't racing anymore. This new boat has a furling main that I am totally in love with...It is so easy to pull out or furl--hardly need a winch most of the time. I suspect because of the cut (no battens) I loose about thirty percent drive on the main, however, it is taller then Hunter advertises. I also find that I sail alot more because of the ease in which I can set the sail. As I leave the harbor I have my main set almost immediately. There is no sail cover to take off, no sail ties and no raising of the main. What a snap. And of course, when coming home, no sail to flake out, no sail ties, and no sail cover. Pure joy. I also find that as the wind rises, the main looks better until around 25 knots at which time I start to reef by pulling in on the main. My wife loves this part as the boat actually sails better with the reefed main (which she has said all the time in the past). In our part of the world we have flukey winds and the main goes in and out as the breezes show up. At this stage in my life, I would not have a boat without furling main and jib. Sailing is much more fun with this system. Les
My last four boats had a roller furling jib (genoa) and my present boat (H380) has a roller furling main and jib. The main is furled in the mast and not the boom. After two boats, I had the jib and genoa fitted with a small section on the leading edge toward the center so that as the sail rolled up, it kept its shape fairly well. When I furled the genoa three quarters of the way, it did not have the best shape but in forty knots of wind I only wanted to get home--I wasn't racing anymore. This new boat has a furling main that I am totally in love with...It is so easy to pull out or furl--hardly need a winch most of the time. I suspect because of the cut (no battens) I loose about thirty percent drive on the main, however, it is taller then Hunter advertises. I also find that I sail alot more because of the ease in which I can set the sail. As I leave the harbor I have my main set almost immediately. There is no sail cover to take off, no sail ties and no raising of the main. What a snap. And of course, when coming home, no sail to flake out, no sail ties, and no sail cover. Pure joy. I also find that as the wind rises, the main looks better until around 25 knots at which time I start to reef by pulling in on the main. My wife loves this part as the boat actually sails better with the reefed main (which she has said all the time in the past). In our part of the world we have flukey winds and the main goes in and out as the breezes show up. At this stage in my life, I would not have a boat without furling main and jib. Sailing is much more fun with this system. Les
I agree with Les..
I find that I sail alot more now with the furling main. It is much easier to deal with. Do you lose some light air performance? Yes, but I'm not racing and would rather have the convienence. It is so nice just to pull it out and we are sailing. MPJ
I find that I sail alot more now with the furling main. It is much easier to deal with. Do you lose some light air performance? Yes, but I'm not racing and would rather have the convienence. It is so nice just to pull it out and we are sailing. MPJ
We Love It !
We would not go back to a non furling main. I solo the boat 50% of the time with no problems. The other response is right..... you will sail more. Less work = more fun for us. Happy hunting!
We would not go back to a non furling main. I solo the boat 50% of the time with no problems. The other response is right..... you will sail more. Less work = more fun for us. Happy hunting!
I'm Sold
I have to admit, my wife talked me into the in mast furling that we have on our new 460. I was not at all sure, but now I am a convert! I cannot imagine having to flake that sail everytme we use it. The boat still sales exceptionally well, and it gets us where we need to go in plenty of time to watch the sunset, enjoy a glass of wine, and think about how much fun we had sailing that day. George "BlackSheep"
I have to admit, my wife talked me into the in mast furling that we have on our new 460. I was not at all sure, but now I am a convert! I cannot imagine having to flake that sail everytme we use it. The boat still sales exceptionally well, and it gets us where we need to go in plenty of time to watch the sunset, enjoy a glass of wine, and think about how much fun we had sailing that day. George "BlackSheep"
no going back
After having owned a boat with a furling main for almost two years, whenever I find myself back on a big boat with a conventional main I am amazed at how primitive such systems are. I spent the early part of this month in La Paz sailing a Tayana 48, and couldn't believe how much energy we had to put into getting the main up, and down, not to mention reefing it, flaking it, and covering it. Even with Lazy Jacks and an electric halyard, every operation took three hands plus an autopilot, with one or two people out of the cockpit. sheesh Hey, I'm hearing some interesting stuff about verticle battens, has anyone out there on HOW used this sort of main yet?
After having owned a boat with a furling main for almost two years, whenever I find myself back on a big boat with a conventional main I am amazed at how primitive such systems are. I spent the early part of this month in La Paz sailing a Tayana 48, and couldn't believe how much energy we had to put into getting the main up, and down, not to mention reefing it, flaking it, and covering it. Even with Lazy Jacks and an electric halyard, every operation took three hands plus an autopilot, with one or two people out of the cockpit. sheesh Hey, I'm hearing some interesting stuff about verticle battens, has anyone out there on HOW used this sort of main yet?
RF is great
I also have a 460 with the RF main. This weekend I was on a 433 with a full batten main and no flaking system - what a pain. There is no comparison on easy of use - so much less work to start and end the day. Performance? My boat still sails pretty fast - for a sailboat.
I also have a 460 with the RF main. This weekend I was on a 433 with a full batten main and no flaking system - what a pain. There is no comparison on easy of use - so much less work to start and end the day. Performance? My boat still sails pretty fast - for a sailboat.
Ugh
Heavy, dangerous, slow, expensive. Just wait until it jams and you'll find out exactly how "convenient" it is. MC
Heavy, dangerous, slow, expensive. Just wait until it jams and you'll find out exactly how "convenient" it is. MC
full batten man
Agree with Michael. Had roller furler jam fully rolled out while on passage in rising winds--talk about dangerous. I thought I'd have to cut it off the mast. I handle the full batten main on my 420 by myself without a sweat. Its so much work to push that button on the electric wench and watch the sail rise smoothly up the mast. Down is the same thanks to good battcars and lazyjacks. Greg s/v Champagne Girl
Agree with Michael. Had roller furler jam fully rolled out while on passage in rising winds--talk about dangerous. I thought I'd have to cut it off the mast. I handle the full batten main on my 420 by myself without a sweat. Its so much work to push that button on the electric wench and watch the sail rise smoothly up the mast. Down is the same thanks to good battcars and lazyjacks. Greg s/v Champagne Girl
roller furling
I have in mast furling on my 380, and love it. Yes, you do loose a little shape, but for me its the only way to go.
I have in mast furling on my 380, and love it. Yes, you do loose a little shape, but for me its the only way to go.
IN-BOOM FURLING THE BEST
I JUST RECEIVE THE HIGH-LOW REEFER EASY TO INSTALL AND OPERATE. A NO BRAINER!!!
I JUST RECEIVE THE HIGH-LOW REEFER EASY TO INSTALL AND OPERATE. A NO BRAINER!!!
- Status