Great thread with lots of differing opinions and personal views. Some more strident than others but nevertheless interesting. Some of the opinions seem to be based on theory and not real world experience but are mostly worthwhile reading and considering for their diversity of views.
I realise that this thread has probably run to its logical conclusion but I thought it would be valuable to at least make the following information easily available to all who may venture this way in the future seeking information on
furling main
sails.
I attach a link to the ongoing SSCA
Equipment Survey dealing with main sail
furling / reefing and the overall analysis
here.
I attach a link from that same
survey of all the opinions expressed by owners who actually sail with the type of
equipment that they are commenting on
here.
It is quite a long read but very interesting and revealing and it is very germane to the extensive discussions that have been going on within this thread.
The one take away message for me is that there are failures in all systems from the simple to the more complex. All systems
work flawlessly for some sailors yet other sailors have monumental problems with these same choices of equipment.
Probably the major difference here is that the operators of the various types of systems are the one thing where it is impossible to compare like for like.
No one system is right for every sailor with their own particular situation given the the inherent differences in the individual and indeed where they sail and in what they sail.
And for an interesting comparison I add the link for the analysis of those sailors who sail without an in mast or in boom furling system
here.
When one compares the Breakdowns/Unit and Breakdowns/Year data for both the in mast units and those with battens/sliders it shows that there is a slight difference but overall the
reliability is within what most (but not all) sailors would be prepared to accept for the perceived advantages that each system provides. (Please do not turn this into a mathematical argument about percentage increases or decreases).
What is obvious and revealing is that generally whichever system you choose they are mostly realiable and that is good news for all of us.
We are lucky to have so many choices to suit our own personal situations and budgets.
Now let's get that
mainsail furled away neatly.
AussieWayne
Thank you to the SSCA for compiling all this information and much more.
There is lots of useful information on equipment and systems of all types
here.