We have inmast reefing and love it. The slight extra
noise comes from having a twin spreader rig and therefore extra standing
rigging over a
single spreader mast with slab reefing. However, last month I saw one of our sister yachts with inmast and a
single spreader rig, so no idea what Kemp/Selden were up to. The noise is only there at 30 knots and I don't think the mast slot makes much difference. Certainly doesn't change in volume or sound when the course changes.
Is this a mast
head rig? hopefully the
designer got the balance right and a larger main might upset this. Having bought a new
Genoa I had a chat to our
sailmaker about main
sails. He offered us a vertical battened main with a roach but not sure if this would help or risk a jam However, they are available.
So do we need extra sail area? Below F3 we have the
engine on to keep speed up. Between F3 and lower F4 there could be an advantage. However, once we reach the upper end of F4 we need to think about a reef in the main as we have increasing
weather helm. Above F4 we will have reefed which of course is a 30 second job from the
cockpit with inmast reefing.
An inmast main will probably spend most of the week nicely wound inside the mast which is great for protection and longevity. Nothing like a soggy sail bag or scrunched up boom cover to knock the stuffing out of a sail. Its also a simple sail to make so replacement costs are quite low.
An inmast main will be loose footed so great for getting a good sail shape with as much or as little fiddling as you want.
Before you buy, take her for a full days sail. We did a half day and bought the yacht once I saw inmast reefing.
Pete