Furling boom

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Jammer

. .. . I think I would like a Dutchman setup and a really good ball bearing track better.

I never liked the Dutchman system, but good quality ball bearing tracks -- regularly maintained and lubricated -- is an absolute must, in my book, for slab reefing.


Whatever furling system you have, this is not the place to skimp on maintenance.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Not that you seem to be terribly interested in getting opinions from the people who have actual experience with boom furlers, but this is copied directly from the Leisurefurl manual, for what it's worth:

I read that and hear the sound of sail ripping.

[donradcliffe]

The Dutchman filaments are stretchy nylon, and not that sensitive to tuning. The most fiddly part is stringing the filaments through the sail, usually done at the dock or mooring.

Reefing can be done singlehandedly in heavy air by dropping the halyard a foot at a time, then hardening up the reefing line. This will occasionally break a filament, but it is no big deal to replace. I found weed whacker line the right size and much cheaper.

The last hint is to forget the grommets that come with the kit, and have your sailmaker put in regular grommets..

I sailed on 40 footer from USA to NZ with a bolt rope main, and a 45 footer RTW with mainsail on tracks, which worked a bit better, but I wouldn't hesitate to use one again for boats under 50 ft.

[Montanan]

Furling - "Hold my beer!"

https://fb.watch/r81rV1Bh7u/

Nothing lazy about these Jacks.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I read that and hear the sound of sail ripping.

Yeah I'm sure that's what the Leisurefurl people where going for. The have stock in all major sail companies...