I am looking to order a new 2002 Hunter326 (320) and am trying to decide on the standard rig or furling main. Any insight/comments are welcome as we have already decided this is the best boat for the family needs at this time. The boat is for family crusing with an occasional weekend race thrown in to keep me sane.
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Pete
furling main
It is just my thinking but if i ever get my "wish" boat it will have a furling main just for simplicty sake. it has got to be easier!
It is just my thinking but if i ever get my "wish" boat it will have a furling main just for simplicty sake. it has got to be easier!
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Kent
In-Mast furling
We just logged 981 miles in May on our Bahamas trip in our 320 with in-mast furling. It is so easy to set the main that we almost always used it to keep the boat stable and comfortable. Reefing is so easy you don't hesitate. So far, I love it. However, I don't race. Depends on what you want to do most. Kent S/V Giggles
We just logged 981 miles in May on our Bahamas trip in our 320 with in-mast furling. It is so easy to set the main that we almost always used it to keep the boat stable and comfortable. Reefing is so easy you don't hesitate. So far, I love it. However, I don't race. Depends on what you want to do most. Kent S/V Giggles
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Mark Johnson
Love ours too!
There are two schools of thought on this subject. I happen to be of the school that likes the furling main. It makes my life much simpler. You will loose some light air performance, so don't expect to win alot of races.
There are two schools of thought on this subject. I happen to be of the school that likes the furling main. It makes my life much simpler. You will loose some light air performance, so don't expect to win alot of races.
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Kenneth Pfaff
290 with furling main
I have a 290 with the furling main, and we love it. My wife hates to heel so it allows us to reef early when the wind kicks up.
I have a 290 with the furling main, and we love it. My wife hates to heel so it allows us to reef early when the wind kicks up.
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schaefer
yea but
how often do you adjust the out haul or have infinite reefing points...with the furling main you just may win a race despite what the purists are saying...i have a standard rig but love the furling main that came on a buddies ben. 32...ps chartered a h336 in tortola...raising that main with dutchman system was the worst...schaefer
how often do you adjust the out haul or have infinite reefing points...with the furling main you just may win a race despite what the purists are saying...i have a standard rig but love the furling main that came on a buddies ben. 32...ps chartered a h336 in tortola...raising that main with dutchman system was the worst...schaefer
Raising the main with a dutchman........
had nothing to do with the difficulty in raising the sail. If you check back in the archives I think that everyone with a prebent mast on a Hunter has complained about this problem.
had nothing to do with the difficulty in raising the sail. If you check back in the archives I think that everyone with a prebent mast on a Hunter has complained about this problem.
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Bob
In Mast - The Only Way
Just took delivery last June of a new 320 with In-Mast Furling. Can't imagine anything other than that. Makes it easy to sail short handed and to take on and off at seasons end.
Just took delivery last June of a new 320 with In-Mast Furling. Can't imagine anything other than that. Makes it easy to sail short handed and to take on and off at seasons end.
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Pat & Faye
We like ours...
but, we noticed a few changes on the 326 compared to the 320. The rub rail has been changed to some type of hard material with a metal insert, and the hatches where our cabin, head and galley have all been changed to non-opening ports. Kent, e-mail us with more info about your trip!!
but, we noticed a few changes on the 326 compared to the 320. The rub rail has been changed to some type of hard material with a metal insert, and the hatches where our cabin, head and galley have all been changed to non-opening ports. Kent, e-mail us with more info about your trip!!
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Wally Boggus
Those who swear by conventional mains...
but then sail with me say "I gotta have one of these." Besides ease of take down (5 min I'm done) and unlimited reef points which promotes more sailing in all conditions, I beat a lot of boats with full mains. Sail area alone don't win the races. w
but then sail with me say "I gotta have one of these." Besides ease of take down (5 min I'm done) and unlimited reef points which promotes more sailing in all conditions, I beat a lot of boats with full mains. Sail area alone don't win the races. w
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Rick Belew
No sail covers!!!!!!!
I love the furling main. I hear if you have a bimini top it is a real hassel to install the sail cover. I find when the wind comes and goes I can throw up the sails and get what I can out of a short duration breeze. If it stops, roll up sails and motor until the next breeze. I don't think I will ever have another boat with out furling main.
I love the furling main. I hear if you have a bimini top it is a real hassel to install the sail cover. I find when the wind comes and goes I can throw up the sails and get what I can out of a short duration breeze. If it stops, roll up sails and motor until the next breeze. I don't think I will ever have another boat with out furling main.
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Dennis
Other issues
If I had the option, I would probably go for the furling main. But, one price to pay is lack of sail shape in very light air. One other concern would be what if the mechanisum fails and you can't get you sail furled? Just other things to think about.
If I had the option, I would probably go for the furling main. But, one price to pay is lack of sail shape in very light air. One other concern would be what if the mechanisum fails and you can't get you sail furled? Just other things to think about.
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Larry and Carol Schroeder
Furling Main
Have read all the replies. OK, we're sold on a furling main. How much will it cost to convert? Seriously, the sail cover with our t-top bimini is more than a real hassle to put on---if you're not 6' tall+ you can't get the zipper started. If we had it to do over again, that's the only way we would go.
Have read all the replies. OK, we're sold on a furling main. How much will it cost to convert? Seriously, the sail cover with our t-top bimini is more than a real hassle to put on---if you're not 6' tall+ you can't get the zipper started. If we had it to do over again, that's the only way we would go.
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Jon
No expert, but
I'm quite new to sailing, but I can't believe how easy it is to pull the sail in and out. A old salt came out with us the other day and he was staggered at how fast I could pull out the main sail (and also pull in). Plus no reefing (or rather infinite reef points at the turn of the whinch)! I wouldn't even consider a non fulrling system - all that reefing and covering etc. YUCK!
I'm quite new to sailing, but I can't believe how easy it is to pull the sail in and out. A old salt came out with us the other day and he was staggered at how fast I could pull out the main sail (and also pull in). Plus no reefing (or rather infinite reef points at the turn of the whinch)! I wouldn't even consider a non fulrling system - all that reefing and covering etc. YUCK!
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Paul W.
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Wally Boggus
Had my first furling main problem...
Seems that I wore out the splice in my clutch line. Not a big deal - Set the clutch switch to "Ratchet" and use your ratchet. It would be nice to have a short ratchet for this purpose as the full size one does not clear the boom. w
Seems that I wore out the splice in my clutch line. Not a big deal - Set the clutch switch to "Ratchet" and use your ratchet. It would be nice to have a short ratchet for this purpose as the full size one does not clear the boom. w
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Marguerite Becker
BATTENED MAIN FOR FURLING MAINS
I love the furling main on our 320. As so many have said, it just makes getting out and sailing that much faster and when you are sailing evenings after work that makes a big difference. However, if I were purchasing one today I would investigate Doyle's new batten main for in mast furling. It will give back some of that lost sail area. I can't say if it is great or not, but certainly worth looking into. All the best with your new boat.
I love the furling main on our 320. As so many have said, it just makes getting out and sailing that much faster and when you are sailing evenings after work that makes a big difference. However, if I were purchasing one today I would investigate Doyle's new batten main for in mast furling. It will give back some of that lost sail area. I can't say if it is great or not, but certainly worth looking into. All the best with your new boat.
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Bryan C.
Performance v. convenience
One (some would say the only) of the advantages of a B&R rig is that it has no backstay, allowing a big, powerful, fully battened mainsail. If you have in-mast furling (most Hs sold this way, I understand) you lose the advantage of having the more powerful sail, and you might as well have a traditional rig on your boat where you can let the sail out on a run without it hitting swept-back stays. But as others have noted, if the extra 1/2 knot is not a big deal to you (and it isn't to me) go with the furling and make your life easier.
One (some would say the only) of the advantages of a B&R rig is that it has no backstay, allowing a big, powerful, fully battened mainsail. If you have in-mast furling (most Hs sold this way, I understand) you lose the advantage of having the more powerful sail, and you might as well have a traditional rig on your boat where you can let the sail out on a run without it hitting swept-back stays. But as others have noted, if the extra 1/2 knot is not a big deal to you (and it isn't to me) go with the furling and make your life easier.
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