Traditional or In-Mast or Boom Furler

[Gunni]

Boom Furlers: A few years ago I did an in depth analysis of the boom furlers, talked to lots of riggers, and came to the conclusion that the Schaeffer system was the one for me. It is an elegant design. The cost was what stopped me, and I convinced myself that sweating the halyard and reefing lines wasn't all that terrible. I took the money I didn't spend, replaced my standing rigging, bought a new mainsail, and gave myself a new dink as a consolation.

 

[Scotty C-M]

I have in-mast. My brother has in-boom furling. I've sailed on both boats extensively. They are both very good systems. Both boats sail well. The loss in performance for the in-mast is pretty small, in my opinion. Both systems require learning how to use, but have performed very well with proper use. If I were putting one system on my boat, I would pick in-boom. Sail shape is a bit better, and I like being able to get the main down if it jams. The disadvantage is that the boom is large and heavy, which makes jibing more stressful on the rig. Boom brakes obviously help this. At any rate, I think both systems are fine. I much prefer this to slab reefing, which I have used for many years. Slab is a good system, but I prefer not to go onto the cabin top to gather the main. In my experience you often do so even with lazy jacks, Dutchman system, or boom bags.

 

[seadaddler]

If you are cruising and maybe just you and you wife as crew than Inmast is really a great
system and from what I see out on the water very popular on many newer boats for sure.
Yes the older sailboats and really die hard sailors don't really know about them and maybe are a racer and want better performance but I see a few inmast do well racing because they have learned the best way to trim their sails.
I have had a few times than I waited too long to reef and was over powered but with inmast I was able to pull in my inmast main all from cockpit.
I do think just like learning to be a good sailor and learning to using Inmast is a learning curve for sure but I think most Inmast owners do more sailing because it is so easy to
take in the sail and not like some just go sailing with just their head sail.
Many sailors as they get older start looking to get easy sail handling and changing from regular sails to some king of roller sails is very costly so roller boom or roller sails behind the mast is what I see but do see alot more Inmast more and more.
Nick

 

[dhays]

FWIW, my previous boat was a Catalina 36 with standard rigging. I had a lazy jack system that could have been rigged better. My current boat is a Catalina 400 with in mast furling. My wife and I wanted in mast furling and looked until we found a boat with this feature.

We sail much more with the in mast furler than we did without. The wind here in the summer months is very fickle. You might only get 15 minutes of useful wind. With the furler we don't mind bring out the sails to take advantage if it.

The sail shape is not as good. It does sail as fast. But we sail MORE!

Btw, buy my boat. We are putting her up for sale.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I have sailed lots of boats with Selden in mast furling mainsails and think they are wonderful, free of problems, easy to use and I've gotten very good mainsail trim as well for cruising purposes. End of story.

 

[SEMPERAVANTI41]

Have purchased 2011 Hunter 50 with tall rig and stack pack back in December. Still own 2007 Hunter 41DS with Selden in mast furling (which is for sale). Was planning to change rig on 50 to in mast after purchase. After sailing a number of times I no longer plan on changing rig. Raising mainsail with the stack pack and electric winch is easy, dropping is a breeze. Unzip and close stack pack at dock, no need to go forward while underway. Although 41 sails great, I think the 50 sails better. Haven't had to reef sail yet on 50, but reefing doesn't seam like a problem. I think both systems work well, hard to say which is better.

 

[Bob S]

I am looking at moving up and doing my homework. I was just curious what a Selden Boom furler would cost for a 36 - 38 foot boat? Can't seem to find pricing online. I would assume it would require a new sail too.

 

[sdstef]

My dock neighbor has a Catalina 28 w/in mast furling, she can safely reef to her hearts content to any wind condition. She has told me she loves it and has never had an issue with it. No need for a main cover or lazy jacks to get in the way of say a boom tent when anchored

 

[Gunni]

Selden does not make a boom furler. Your choices are ProFurl, Schaefer, or Forespar.

 

[Bob S]

Sorry. Just trying to get an idea what price range they run in. I like the idea of a main furling sail because even though she tags along I am always solo sailing.

 

[gettinthere]

The disadvantage is that the boom is large and heavy, which makes jibing more stressful on the rig.

Did you watch the interview with the Swan 53 owners I posted earlier? They were racing with asym up, squall came thru, big gybe, snapped whisker pole, dipped boom, they thought they were going to loose the rig...

 

[JSumme]

I've only been on 1 mast furling boat. (bene 323) 3 or 4 times, always with the owner/skipper.

Every time we have had trouble reducing sail. owner complained that the outhaul had to be very very tight, so no slack in the main, or the RF would foul.

He was not a fan, but made due.


for those that know, What is the correct way to use the RF main? (in mast)

I don't know if anyone answered your question. I don't think there is a "correct" way, just a way that works for you and your boat. For instance, I have my mast furling control lines led aft. I can use my cabin top winch to assist in out haul of the main. So when single handing, I turn in to the wind and either set the autopilot or lock the wheel and haul the main out. If the main becomes over powered it's simply a matter of adjusting how much sail is rolled out, all from the safest point in the cockpit, just aft of the cabin door! Normally, I furl the job either part way or all the way before I worry about the main. Also, I get very good performance with my in mast system. I have sailed flat on a beam reach with main and jib and had the boat above hull speed. The boat can routinely hit hull speed close hauled with sharp and very quick tacks. By the way, my in mast has never jammed! People keep saying they are "jammy." Ask for examples. I have a 2014 Hunter e33.