Hood Stoway mast

dgsingle · 08-12-2003, 15:16

I'm considering the purchase of a Bristol 38.8 that has a Hood Stoway in-mast furling system for the main sail. I know the operating principle should be to eliminate as much complexity as possible when planning a cruising boat, but was wondering if anyone has had any personal experience with this particular system.

kokopelli · 08-12-2003, 15:33

I vaquely remember some discussion about this on another BB not so long agao...have you checked the archives on Sailnet or CruisingWorld?

Bobbi
Kokopelli

delmarrey · 08-12-2003, 17:26

I've READ that they get jammed up in the mast. I'm not sure I would want to deal with that if I were in dire need of a reef.
I've never used one so don't really know for sure but thought I'd mention it.

dgsingle · 08-12-2003, 20:10

Haven't checked Sailnet or Cruising World yet. Did a Google search and found that many larger "high end" boats like Oysters have them installed. Of course, they probably have full time crew members to deal with any problems.

There is another Bristol with a "Leisure Furl" in-boom furling system which has the advantage of allowing a battened main. I don't know if that would be any more reliable than the "Stoway".

Greg Singleton

**Jeff H** · 08-12-2003, 20:23

These in mast furling (or in boom)systems work ok at the high end of moderate conditions when you are only doing "cosmetic reefs". When you really to reef for a period of time in heavy air there is a tendancy for the leech of the sail to creep and power up the sail making beating difficult and causing excessive heeling. Slab reefing systems are a more effective and reliable method.

There other issues with in mast furling such as significant weight aloft from the heavier spar which decreases stability and increases rolling (an important consideration on a round bottom centerboard boat like the boat in question.)In mast furling tends to shorten the lifespan of the sail. Also the hollow leech really kills light air performance.

Jeff

kokopelli · 09-12-2003, 08:44

These are much the same comments I remember on the other boards...especially the ones by Jeff...so you probably don't need to search through the archives.

kokopelli

dgsingle · 09-12-2003, 11:50

Thank you all for your responses. A conventional rig will be a high priority in selecting my next boat.

Greg

08-12-2003, 15:16	#1
dgsingle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Annapolis Posts: 4	Hood Stoway mast I'm considering the purchase of a Bristol 38.8 that has a Hood Stoway in-mast furling system for the main sail. I know the operating principle should be to eliminate as much complexity as possible when planning a cruising boat, but was wondering if anyone has had any personal experience with this particular system.

08-12-2003, 17:26	#3
delmarrey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Boat: Choate 40 Posts: 3,455 Images: 115	Main furlings I've READ that they get jammed up in the mast. I'm not sure I would want to deal with that if I were in dire need of a reef. I've never used one so don't really know for sure but thought I'd mention it.

08-12-2003, 20:10	#4
dgsingle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Annapolis Posts: 4	Stoway mast Haven't checked Sailnet or Cruising World yet. Did a Google search and found that many larger "high end" boats like Oysters have them installed. Of course, they probably have full time crew members to deal with any problems. There is another Bristol with a "Leisure Furl" in-boom furling system which has the advantage of allowing a battened main. I don't know if that would be any more reliable than the "Stoway". Greg Singleton

09-12-2003, 11:50	#7
dgsingle Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Annapolis Posts: 4	Stoway mast Thank you all for your responses. A conventional rig will be a high priority in selecting my next boat. Greg

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08-12-2003, 15:33	#2
kokopelli Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 36	I vaquely remember some discussion about this on another BB not so long agao...have you checked the archives on Sailnet or CruisingWorld? Bobbi Kokopelli

08-12-2003, 20:23	#5
Jeff H Moderator Site Helper Join Date: May 2003 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Boat: Farr 11.6 (AKA Farr 38) Synergy Posts: 535 Images: 13	These in mast furling (or in boom)systems work ok at the high end of moderate conditions when you are only doing "cosmetic reefs". When you really to reef for a period of time in heavy air there is a tendancy for the leech of the sail to creep and power up the sail making beating difficult and causing excessive heeling. Slab reefing systems are a more effective and reliable method. There other issues with in mast furling such as significant weight aloft from the heavier spar which decreases stability and increases rolling (an important consideration on a round bottom centerboard boat like the boat in question.)In mast furling tends to shorten the lifespan of the sail. Also the hollow leech really kills light air performance. Jeff

09-12-2003, 08:44	#6
kokopelli Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 36	These are much the same comments I remember on the other boards...especially the ones by Jeff...so you probably don't need to search through the archives. kokopelli

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