A roach+ in mast furling

[Ocean Hound]

I know that may sound a contradiction in terms, but Maxiroach say they can achieve it and avoid the foulups when reefing. Does anyone have experience of their product and does it perform in the long term?.

 

[DickB]

Yes, I have a MAXI Roach mainsail in a Seldon in-mast furler. Never had a problem with it. Goes in, goes out... never jammed or given me any sort of grief. Just keep a little bit of tension on the outhaul when furling in to keep the sail rolled tight. Great sail... (and a good bit bigger than the standar main).

 

[cynthia]

I'll second that. We've had a Maxiroach for several years, it has been v. good. When weather conditions permit I roll it in from the winch at the bottom of the mast as it is quicker, otherwise everything comes back to the cockpit and can be operated from there. Much easier for me when it's my watch and I want to adjust the mainsail.

 

[boatmike]

I am just binning mine. Frankly they don't really give you much more roach and I found there was exessive wear on the top of the batten pockets. However I should add that my mast is Z-Spars and the slot is just not wide enough to accommodate the sail plus batten plus reinforcement at end of batten pockets which has contributed to the wear. I have also found that they cut the foot of the sail very high to get a straight pull and I suspect that this is necessary with full length battens but looses you the area you gained with the roach. Without battens at all however you have to cut the sail with negative roach so I am having one made now (by Kemp) with short vertical battens in carbon fibre which is a compromise between the two extremes. On my boat I have also been able to make up a new boom 10 inches longer to compensate for the roach anyway. Frankly I am looking forward to sailing with a well behaved sail this year!

 

[BoyBlue49]

I have had one for a couple of years, allways worked well, keep sail rolled up tight in the mast when hauling out, that way it will not jam or chafe. I too have a Seldon mast. Follow instructions re. kicker position and you will not have any probs. Paul the proprietor was very helpfull when I purchased mine from him. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[toad]

I am on my second boat with a Maxi Roach sail, the first worked so well I retrofitted my next boat with one.