In Mast Furling Retrofit ??

[SVAquilon]

Does anyone know if a non-furling mast can be made into a furling one? I know you can add a furling boom but would prefer it in the mast.
Thanks!

[skipmac]

No a regular mast cannot be converted to furling inside the mast. You can get a system that furls the main just behind the mast on a stay, sort of like a roller furling jib.

[SVAquilon]

Skipmac, Any feedback on that system? Thanks

[skipmac]

Never owned one so have limited experience. Did one sea trial on a boat with that system and I didn't like it. Jammed easily, didn't keep a great shape to the main, you can't use a main with standard battens (part of the reason for poor sail shape), and the slot between the mast and the sail lost a lot of drive from the main. And to add one to an existing boat, unless you find a used one, would be somewhat expensive.

Some of the problems like the jamming could have been due to poor maintenance, the boat had been sitting for a while for sale with no upkeep. I have heard some sailors like these OK but don't recall any glowing reports.

Why do you feel you need this system? On a 27' Catalina the main can't be that much to handle.

[neilpride]

A regular spar cant be converted in a inmast furling , inmast furling spars have the internal groove or section to acomodate the furler , like Skipmac say what you can do is to fit a furler behind the mast , idk what kind of boat where talking about, but the conversion is a expensive one, in a large boat dont make any sense , replace the mast , sails, lots of stuff , expensive , and with the result to kill some sail performance . Cheers.

[SVAquilon]

I plan to purchase a larger boat for cruising the near future and would like to be able to perform all functions from the cockpit. Trying to get a feel for the cost of a newer boat with upgrades vs. a older (cheaper) boat and adding what I want. Thanks

[ohdrinkboy]

Fancor makes one...no idea on performance or prices.

Mainsail furlers - Facnor

[skipmac]

There are other ways to accomplish sail handling from the cockpit besides in mast furling. Definitely cheaper and possibly better results.

You can buy or rig an existing main with a Stackpack or similar system, run the halyards and sheets through blocks to the cockpit and pretty much manage the main that way. You can even rig reefing lines to the cockpit.

All that being said, unless you have significant need to do this I don't recommend. All this stuff adds complexity to your rig, a lot of extra lines, more friction in the system going around all the blocks so takes a lot more pull on the lines to hoist and reef and just doesn't work as well.

Maybe if you will be single-handing or have mobility restrictions, otherwise, follow the old KISS principle.

[boatsail]

Check out this link for main furling
The Sailwarehouse

[Dennis.G]

If you really want roller furling main as a retrofit, I would reconsider your resistance to roller furling booms. Really the best way to retrofit to an exiting boat.

The roller units behind the mast (looking like roller jibs) are suitable for motor sailers or steading sails on a trawlers only. So poor in performance, that putting on your sailboat will kill performance and reduce boat's resale value.

If your heart set on roller furling mast, maybe best to start looking to buy a boat already outfitted with one.

[boatsail]

Behind mast furling would be like 2,500 for the OP with behind mast furling.

...What would est cost for boom furling on say a catalina c27 as the OP sails?


....What is the est. loss in speed on the OP's boat with behind mast furling as opposed to in boom furling?

[SVAquilon]

The boom furling may be the best solution for an older boat. I am not opposed to one, I have just never sailed using one before. Thanks for all the input. It gives me a lot better insight on whats out there.

[Lagoon4us]

We have a pro-furl boom unit it is fantastic, very good sail shape because of the full battens and infinetly reefable... few dollars tho!!!!

[Stumble]

I have used the behind the mast furlers, and really hatted them. All the problems with in the mast furling, plus poorer sail shape because of the lack of a tight luff...

Stackpack/lazy jacks are my preference up to around 50, when i would really prefer to go to a boom furler. But as the boat size goes up the boom furlers get really expensive quick.

[Ruiner]

Originally Posted by SVAquilon

I plan to purchase a larger boat for cruising the near future and would like to be able to perform all functions from the cockpit. Trying to get a feel for the cost of a newer boat with upgrades vs. a older (cheaper) boat and adding what I want. Thanks

I spend just nine days sailing with Bavaria 46 with Selden in-mast furling and it was pure crap. It was second time for me with furling main and the bad first impression did not get any better. We had a brand new Elvström sail and I do not want to know what the old sail would look like...

It is impossible to get the sail into any decent shape when beating and the flapping sound is just so annoying that you end up going more down wind just to get rid of the sound and save the sail.

The most ridiculous thing is that it is in no way easier to handle than full batten main with lazy jacks and proper reefing setup. We had force 7 winds and it takes much more effort to reef the main than with battens and lazy jacks.

I don't know about the push-button hydraulic ones like in HR53, but at least that manual furling was completely useles. Only thing good about it is the weight it adds to mast so boat swings a little softer in anchor....