The ins and outs of mainsail in-mast furling

[nortonscove]

I had some minor issues in the beginning but then went against my manliness and read the instructions. Haven't had an issue since. Love mine. I hear people that don't like them but I'd have a difficult time going back to the old way of my last boat.

[waterman46]

I won't have a mainsail w/o full horizontal battens. Performance, OK it helps, but what I really like is that the full batten main simply does not flog. Where I sail, on ocean in light winds, upwind mostly, and often motorsailing, a main that keeps its shape, silently, as the boat rolls is just priceless.

[slipaway]

There is plenty of advice, pros, cons, mentioned in the posts above. One thing to consider, that, not having to leave the cockpit to set, furl, reef is SAFER. We are in our 60s and frankly, want no part in having to climb on the cabin top to furl a sail or even to put a cover on. Sure, a furling main might jam (ours has never in over 10 years), but without a furling main you need to get up out of the cockpit every time.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Kd9truck

I am Not a fan of in-mast furlers especially if they are hydraulic, for me it’s not worth it. I am 58 and I sail a 44 ft boat because it is the max size that I can handle without power furlers.
Some have mentioned previously that forsail furlers are used regularly, agreed, the do not need power. For me the in mast systems are to powerful when there is too much at stake.
Another point and this is a personal issue, I have trouble with the systems that I have used adjusting the outhaul tension with the furler using controls that are just on/off, engaged/disengaged not something that can be adjusted like a fast/ slow dial. This type of energy engagement especially with hydraulics is prone to overpowering. My understanding of mishaps with in mast systems is a great deal of the issues associated are with overpowering, snapping halyards, ripping sails,and jamming sails in mast.
After a Recent delivery of a vessel with hydraulic everything I got back to my vessel my sweet manual main and furling gib and I was so happy to sail without the stress of “doing it right”.
Hypocrite warning: I do use an cordless joist hole drill to raise the main when I single hand
Cheers

I crossed the Atlantic earlier this year from Mediterranean Spain to Antigua in a boat with electric powered in-mast furling.

I always thought this would be an improvement over the endless line in-mast furling like I have on my boat. I changed my mind -- for the reasons you state here.

The endless line furling is more trouble -- furling is not pushbutton. There are more lines in the cockpit and you need a winch, and sometimes you have to replace the furling line. But there is much less to go wrong, and you have a lot more control and feel of the process. So I've changed my mind and now think that despite the drawbacks, this is the best solution.

As to outhaul tension -- you shouldn't be adjusting that with the furler. This is why God made outhaul lines. Slack the outhaul to take foot tension off before operating the furler, whether it is powered or not. Then when you have the desired amount of sail out, only then adjust foot tension with the outhaul line.

[cdcorl]

Our first experience with in mast furling was a little tough. We didn’t completely understand the tension required or the angle of the sail. Once we slowed down, and pulled it in and out by hand a few times it was pretty easy to learn that the system is quite basic. We have sailed 12,000 miles in the past two years and I’ve had the main reefed
In many different positions. With just my wife and I on board, we would never consider going back and would highly recommend in mast furling. Go out with someone that knows the system and make sure you fully understand it. It really is nice to never leave the cockpit when things get tough and the main needs reefing.

[MicHughV]

Like most boating topics...some people like some stuff...and other people like other stuff.

If you like a mast furling main, go for it.

If you don't, don't buy a boat that has it.

Seems simple enough.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by KayZee

Like the pun? Ins AND outs. Get it?


I have an offer in on a Wauquiez 41ps. It has a furling main. Given the choice, I would not choose it. I would want the performance back especially given the already low SA/D. The admiral LOVES the idea of no mainsail cover and not even having to go up top to pretty up the sail before zipping the stackpack. I get it; we ARE in our sixties and less effort sailing IS becoming a priority. The boat hits SO many of our other check marks that the in mast is not a deal killer. I've got two owners on my dock who adore theirs.



So, what should I know? At the moment I don't know what system is on there but it does have the grooved drum.



infinite reefing is not a bad idea. Can it be reefed when the wind is not dead ahead?



Years ago, when the Hood was about the only system, a rigger told me NEVER to use the powered winch to furl because without the feedback of increasing friction it was too easy to pull in a jam that you would never get out until back in port. Is this fully true today?


Anything else except snark will be apprecitated,


Thanks



Kurt

All mains furl.

It appears your are posting about an in-mast furling system. Correct?

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by slipaway

There is plenty of advice, pros, cons, mentioned in the posts above. One thing to consider, that, not having to leave the cockpit to set, furl, reef is SAFER. We are in our 60s and frankly, want no part in having to climb on the cabin top to furl a sail or even to put a cover on. Sure, a furling main might jam (ours has never in over 10 years), but without a furling main you need to get up out of the cockpit every time.

I don't think that is strictly true. You can rig slab reefing to be done all in the cockpit, if that is important to you. Do use separate lines for clew and tack though - having it all in a single line is IMHO just asking for trouble.

[Jamme]

Originally Posted by Adelie

All mains furl.

It appears your are posting about an in-mast furling system. Correct?

I thought mainsails can douse down on the boom or furl — whether on boom or in mast. So I thought not all mains furl.

I have in-mast furling and I’d gladly do without. Mainsail’s poor shape and issues when furling (especially when you least want them) have thoroughly convinced me.

Having said that, I’d not renounce to a boat simply because of the in-mast furler.
YMMV.

Fair winds!

[Adelie]

Furl: verb Roll or fold up and secure neatly (a flag, sail, umbrella, or other piece of fabric).

I want to verify the OP’s intent before I clarify the title of the thread.

[KayZee]

Originally Posted by requiem

I do recommend:
- Knowing and maintaining the system (reducing friction, proper boom angle, etc).
- Keeping an eye on the sail as it enters the mast to avoid folds and bunching.
- Alternating furling and easing the outhaul to ensure a close wrap.

What should I know about boom angle? You mean vertically with the topping lift?


thanks Kurt

[KayZee]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Like most boating topics...some people like some stuff...and other people like other stuff.

If you like a mast furling main, go for it.

If you don't, don't buy a boat that has it.

Seems simple enough.

Not very helpful despite your into sentence being undeniably true. I don't know if I like in mast furling because I've never lived with one except for a short time as crew with a 35 year old first gen Hood System



Guy on my dock loves his. RAN Sailing seem happy with theirs. I'm not commisioning a new boat and have a choice. Present owner says he'd never buy another boat without one. We've already decided on the boat with a "let's see" attitude. What I asked for was tips, tricks and info. Not a treatise on buying decisions.


Kurt

[KayZee]

Originally Posted by Adelie

All mains furl.

It appears your are posting about an in-mast furling system. Correct?

As I tell my crews, "Boats have so many names for things so we can be very specific. Even though boat are rope, a sheet is never a halyard nor the other way 'round." You have caught me out, Yes, In-mast furling.

[KayZee]

Originally Posted by Jamme

I thought mainsails can douse down on the boom or furl — whether on boom or in mast. So I thought not all mains furl.

I have in-mast furling and I’d gladly do without. Mainsail’s poor shape and issues when furling (especially when you least want them) have thoroughly convinced me.

Having said that, I’d not renounce to a boat simply because of the in-mast furler.
YMMV.

Fair winds!

I believe our esteemed moderator is entirely correct. As I understand it. Dowse is more analagous to taking in a sail. I've always heard and said furling the main when using ties to secure it to the boom in the fully stowed position.

[loneshark64]

The link provided above has good advice. Also: get some McLube Sailkote spray and spray the mast track and fittings.

I like my Selden. I jammed it the first week I had it. But not since because I furl/unfurl on starboard tack, reef into the wind, keep tension on the lines, and don’t have battens. Yes it is a trade off. But it will keep me sailing independently for more years, and like many things in sailing, it’s only hard until you learn how to use it.