In mast furling

[suereal]

Has anyone changed from the original mast to a roller furler? Suereal has the original mast from 1986/87. If anyone has any input I'd appreciate it. I'm curious what others have done with whom and the cost, financially, physically and emotionally. Thanks.

[PaulJacobs]

IMHO "In-The-Mast" (ITM) furling is NOT a good system for multiple reasons.  First and foremost ITM obviates the use of horizontal battens and hence has a significant ADVERSE effect on mainsail shape!    This alone, in my opinion, is a major reason to avoid ITM mainsail furling systems altogether.  Second, ITM systems are the opposite of "fail safe".  If the system jams, for whatever reason, there is no simple way to further reduce sail area or even to get the sail down.  And third is expense.  ITM systems are not cheap.

Conversely, again IMHO, "IN-THE-BOOM" (ITB) mainsail furling systems have a number of significant advantages.  First, they ARE definitely compatible with horizontal mainsail battens, so the mainsail can retain excellent sail shape.    Second, they in-effect afford "infinite" reefing.  One can take in two feet, four feet, seven feet, and even 20 feet as the wind speed increases, without grossly distorting sail shape.  They are also much less likely to jam than ITM systems, plus one can reach inside an open topped boom to free a jam, which one cannot easily do to free a jam far up the mast.  Finally, ITB systems retract the mainsail inside the boom when not in use, so a simple "double zipper" cover protects the sail from UV when not in use. The only drawback to ITB is cost, as these systems are NOT inexpensive.  That said, if Santa were to give me an ITM system I would tell him to put it back in his sleigh.  However, if he gave me an ITB system, I would be exceedingly happy!

Dr. Paul F. Jacobs
Pleiades
Wickford, RI
1990 MK 1.5 No. 1068
TR/FK/ Yanmar 3YM30 

[Jim Hardesty]

Dr. Jacobs brought up a lot of concerns.  Truth is the industry has gone to inmast furling on most cruising boats.  After having inmast furling for a number of years I like it.  Yes there's some loss with the lack of horizonal battens and the roach they allow, but I don't race much.  I do find that sail trim is more critical without the horizonal battens.  Inmast furling doesn't differ much from a head sail furler, they both just wrap the sail around a foil.  The same considerations apply to proper furling for both.  ie  loose wrap among other things
I believe both systems are cost prohibitive as a retrofit.  Unless you have a Hinkley budget. 
Don't intend to start any debate.  Just want to state that inmast furling works well for me and I think for most cruising sailors.
Jim

[scgunner]

Dave,

One more point, either way(mast or boom)you're talking some serious bucks, but if you go IMF you're basically changing your entire sailing rig, if you go IBF you're just swapping out the boom, which can probably done on the water.

[Steve_in_lex]

My PO had IMF and, while I appreciate the performance issues, I sure like the ability to very quickly and easily furl and unfurl the main in a heavy sea.  I'd love to replace it with IBF, but that would entail a new mast, boom and sail.

[jmcdonald]

From a cost effective point, I went with a "stack pack". Easy to use, good management of the sail.
One of the fellows at our club has in boom furling, and it seems the effort & time to "store" the
main, is about the same on both boats. Everything has some trade outs, it's about what makes you
happy.

[Dave DeAre]

I have in mast furling on my 2002 and have enjoyed this convenience for 14 years. I do have a newer Doyle main with large vertical battens that make the sail set properly and has the added roach to perform well. I would never go back to a Stack Pack or conventional sail cover.
14 years, never jammed, easy to furl by hand. But it would be very expensive to convert.

[WBev]

At the last Annapolis boat show, I obtained a price from the IBF guy.  I recall it was about $15,000 including an authorized installer, which was required.  I believe CDI is the manufacturer.   It would require a new Main as well, so figure that in.

I then called Chuck O'Malley of Chesapeake Sails and ordered a stack pack, with the fast track on the mast.