In Mast Furling

[azsailor12]

Definitely don't want this option on our next boat, but so many otherwise decent boats have it. My question- have any of you converted one of these masts to non-furling? Is it even possible or recommended? I'm guessing the right answer is replace the mast.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by azsailor12

Definitely don't want this option on our next boat, but so many otherwise decent boats have it. My question- have any of you converted one of these masts to non-furling? Is it even possible or recommended? I'm guessing the right answer is replace the mast.

I have to ask...why?

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[SaltyMonkey]

Seriously thinking of going the other way, and getting a furling main on my next one.

[azsailor12]

Why?- Less efficient main sail and if it jams, there no way to get the sail down.

[DDabs]

Less efficient if you're racing maybe... I think the performance on a cruising sailboat is very negligible.

[thomm225]

I was all set to go look at a nice Pearson 365 Sailboat until I happened to notice the in mast roller furling.

A quick search on the internet revealed that it is definitely something to stay away from.

Here's just one of the articles against it:

Roller Furling Mainsails

[DDabs]

Definitely something to stay away from? Give me a break...

[azsailor12]

To be honest, I've only been on one boat that had in mast furling. As the sail was moving in and out, it made "popping" noises, as if something was getting hung up. I realize that some people prefer lots of gadgets to make things easier, but I prefer simple- less things to break.

[DDabs]

There are many threads on this debate here on CF, and they're as fruitless as a Mono vs Cat thread in my opinion.

As for the OP's question, I am not sure but I would think you might be able to get away with keeping your mast and just re-doing the track inside. Perhaps call your local shipyard?

[Neptune's Gear]

Personally I'd stay away from it - in boom furling is safer, and considerably more efficient - you can have battens etc and maintain a decent sail shape. Certainly I'd not have it in a boat destined for the high lats.
About 10 years ago I assisted another cruiser who had in mast furling. Approaching Fiji he was hit by a squall that knocked him down, boom in the water. The weight of the water in/on the sail bent the furling mechanism inside the mast - could not move it in or out.
For the next 4 days the main was jammed where it was. Once arrived at Vuda Point Marina, I helped him remove the furler and straighten the system out after removing it from the mast.
Every system can fail. At least with in boom furling you can always drop the sail - slab reef - if required.
I can certainly see the benefit of mainsail roller reefing on a cruiser though.

[CarlF]

Funny how the people against in-mast furling either haven't owned a boat with it or have heard 20 year old "horror" stories. It's tough to find someone who has owned a boat with mainsail furling built in the last 10 years who would consider going back - including me.

The previous link from Walt Schulz is also from long ago during the early days of mainsail furling. While he still doesn't like in-mast furling, almost all new Shannons are now delivered with in-boom furling. The ketches have it on both the main and the mizzen.

[scuba0_1]

Have it think I'll keep it...

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[Wannabe-007]

I was crewing on a delivery 500nm away from anything and watching a tear develop in the main sail (in mast furler jobby). I asked the skipper "How do we get the main down if we have to". He said "You dont". I pushed the point, and was told there was some complicated way to drop if if you needed to.
The tear got bigger and we were reasonably fortunate to be able to furl the main.
It never came out again on that trip, and will have required professional help from there...

I concluded then that In Mast Furlers were not for me.

[CarlF]

Geez. Getting an in-mast furling mainsail down is no different than getting a regular mainsail down. Turn into the wind and let go the halyard.

If the sail is reefed you obviously have to roll it all the way out to drop it. A rip in the sail isn't going to make that any harder.

Rolling a ripped sail into a mast was not so smart.

[scuba0_1]

I can't take one off in less then 5 min and up about the same. You still pull it up the mast.

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