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grasspack · 26-03-2012, 11:18

Hello,

We are looking at our first boat to buy. It is located in Maine and is in storage. We love it and are looking to make an offer but have a couple of questions. It has a Mainsail furling system by Harken. Can someone explain this to me and if it is good, bad, or ugly

. ? We are newbies in the sailboat world and have been chartering here and there for a few years and have taken ASA 101, 103, and 104. And am working on 105.

Thanks and I appreciate it.

Alice

**btrayfors** · 26-03-2012, 12:04

Alice,

There are several types of mainsail furling systems. I was not aware that Harken had an in-boom system, though they do have some mainsail trimming and "bat-car" systems.

Do you have any further details?

Is it an in-mast system? Or is it an in-boom system? Or is it, perhaps, a behind-the-mast system?

And, what kind of boat is it? Size?

Bill

grasspack · 26-03-2012, 12:15

Hello,

It is an Island Packet 27. It is not in boom nor in mast so I am assuming it is a behind the mast. We are just cruisers and going to spend weekends on the boat up and down the maine coast.

Thanks so much
Alice

**btrayfors** · 26-03-2012, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasspack

Hello,

It is an Island Packet 27. It is not in boom nor in mast so I am assuming it is a behind the mast. We are just cruisers and going to spend weekends on the boat up and down the maine coast.

Thanks so much
Alice

Alice,

You sure it's a mainsail furling system? Not a genoa furler?

While it's sure possible to install a behind-the-mast furler on an IP27, I don't know why anyone would do it since the main on a 27-footer is very easy to handle.

Bill

grasspack · 26-03-2012, 14:51

Hello,

Yes, I am sure it is a mainsail furler....I checked and rechecked as I didn't think it was possible and asked the broker twice

**btrayfors** · 26-03-2012, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasspack

Hello,

Yes, I am sure it is a mainsail furler....I checked and rechecked as I didn't think it was possible and asked the broker twice

OK. Well, no matter. It is what it is :-)

Some cruisers just take a regular headsail furler and mount it behind the mast on special tangs and fittings. Works well. Very simple and robust.

Bill

grasspack · 26-03-2012, 15:02

Is it a pain in the a**? We learned on a J24 with just a regular main. I am just curious if people are happy with these or not??
Here is the link to the boat...you can see it in a couple of the pictures....

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...url=&imc=pg-fs

Thanks...I appreciate it.

Alice

**Sailmonkey** · 26-03-2012, 15:42

Is it a pain?
No, but on a 27' boat I think it's ridiculous!! Simple though, and if you don't like it, take it off when you get a new mainsail.

edit....
I forgot to mention after looking at the pictures, it really is nothing more than a headsail furler mounted on a wire attached to some add-on tangs on the trailing edge of the mast.

**Cheechako** · 26-03-2012, 16:03

You will get a lot of opinions on in mast furling. I have mixed feelings even on a big boat. Not sure about the type you mention... maybe not a lot of people experienced with that... I've never heard of it. On a 27... wow.. it may be more work than it's worth. But .....not that hard to eliminate I would guess..... if you dont like it.

grasspack · 26-03-2012, 16:10

Thanks for the replies....we are such newbies that we don't know what to think at times. But we do we love sailing and are ready to buy our first boat

Thanks again
Alice

**Cotemar** · 26-03-2012, 17:09

grasspack,

That is not factory. That is for sure. Nice boat though.
Its just a jib furler mounted behind the mast. Only the last owner will be able to tell you how good it works. Like the other replies. If you do not like it, just remove it and put on a regular main sail. I had in mast main on my last boat (Catalina 380) and really loved it, so who know it may just work for you.