Roller Furling Race Sail

[Peter]

Can race sails be used on a roller furling? How about the loss of sail area since the sail cannot be at the same level of the deck? Thanks

 

[higgs]

Maybe

Going upwind with a furled sail can cause it to stretch in ways it was not designed to do and can thus lessen it's effictiveness for upwind work. Offwind the problem is not a factor.

 

[higgs]

One more thing

The stretching described in my former post can be permant.

 

[Ed A]

take a look at the new rollerfurling raceboats

There are anynumber of race boats set up on furlers alot depends on the sail and the furler used. talk to a sail maker in your area

 

[s sauer]

Racing vs Furling

The J-80's all have a furling headsail with a zip up sleeve for UV protection. I believe the difference is that their sail is always all the way in or all the way out and they furl the Genoa when they launch their asymetrical spinnakers. I feel that a sail must have a higher clew to furl properly and I also think my deck sweeper Genoas have a more effective end plate effect where the foot meets the deck. I'd rather spend the money on two Genoas vs one compromise cut roller furling Genoa on a roller.

 

[Cliff]

Furled Race Sail

Usually a 155 rolled to about a 140 is about all you want to roll this sail up when racing. If it is rolled up more the shape is gone. Plus the big rolled up glob you will have on the forstay is just bad sail shape. Allot of the J Boats like the J 80, J 92, J 105 all have small head sail's and they are either rolled up all the way or all the way out. All the boats I have raced against with a head sail rolled up 50% don't do very well. The credit PHRF gives you for the RF in light air is not enough.Cliff