Add-on In mast furling - removal?

[neil1967]

I am going to look at a 1981 oyster 39 that has a behind the mast roller furling system. I would prefer slab reefing. How feasible would it be to remove the roller furling and would the mast be appreciably weakened? I understand that I will have to replace the sail and install blocks and clutches etc

Thanks

Neil

 

[PetiteFleur]

Why don't you try it first and see how you get on with it. You may find you like it! A friend has just bought a boat with an add-on mainsail furling and he is of the same opinion that he would prefer slab reefing but is going to try it first before making a decision.

 

[neil1967]

I regularly sail a yacht with modern in mast furling, and it's very good; however, this is going to be a long term liveaboard, with possible aspirations to ocean crossing and I would prefer the simplicity of the slab reefing.

 

[Vara]

I can list at least 10 reasons why in-mast reefing should be banned.

I bought my boat with the intention of stripping off the add-on reefing (not a great problem as all the reefing infrastructure was still there).

However after 3 years of using it, I would not be without it. Shortcrewed it is an absolute boon.

Give it a whirl.

Our posts crossed, so my input not helpful.

 

[Vara]

I regularly sail a yacht with modern in mast furling, and it's very good; however, this is going to be a long term liveaboard, with possible aspirations to ocean crossing and I would prefer the simplicity of the slab reefing.

Well in that case.

When I researched removing the add-on bits Selden didn't think it would cause a problem.

 

[Dockhead]

Well, let's not confuse purpose-built in-mast furling rigs, with regular rigs which have furlers tacked on. Two absolutely entirely different things.

Purpose built in-mast furling rigs are taller to make up for the lack of roach in the mainsail, and the sail goes into the mast itself. It doesn't suck (spoken as one who wanted a fully battened main, but could not find even a single cruising boat in the class he wanted for sale in 2009 without in-mast furling).

Tacked-on furling mains are gardarful. Since they were tacked on to begin with, they can generally be tacked off without any great effort (you will need a new mains'l, however).

 

[DanTribe]

I removed a behind the mast Easireef gear from my UFO 31, no problems and great benefit to performance. [it was old & inefficient ]
I just drilled the rivet heads off & punched them through, then filled the holes with new rivets. I suggest you speak to the mast manufacturer, Selden in my case. They were very helpful and said I didn't need to fill the holes for structural reasons, but could if I wanted to for cosmetic reasons.
I had to buy a new gooseneck and mast gate but these were easily available even though 1980s vintage.

 

[Tranona]

If it is add on by attaching an extra extrusion rivetted to the aft face then it can be removed by drilling out the rivets and reverting to the normal track. Probably a good idea as add ons were not always successful and can add a lot of weight high up.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

If it is add on by attaching an extra extrusion rivetted to the aft face then it can be removed by drilling out the rivets and reverting to the normal track. Probably a good idea as add ons were not always successful and can add a lot of weight high up.

agree. I took a system off our Moody346, or should I say my son did because he was light enough to go aloft and drill out all the rivets - it took about 12 hours in total. In hindsight, I wish I paid the cranage and had the mast all at ground level.

It was in 5 sections approx 10foot each which had to be lowered down once the rivets were out.

Was pleased with the outcome, especially with new sails, albiet at a cost.

Bear in mind that they are monel rivets and take a fair bit of drilling, hence recharging of batteries etc.

 

[johnalison]

A mate of ours took the add-on furling gear off the Nicholson 32 he'd just bought a few years ago. He sold the gear on EBay for some vast sum, so there must be people out there who want them.

 

[merlin3688]

I think you have been told this but removing an add on system will not weaken the spar, you will be left with lots of holes (5mm) which can be left empty or blanked of with rivets. Once removed you should find the original sail entry gate and also holes for the original gooseneck, which depending on who made the mast may still be available. If the mast has got a badge on the front this will help identify, possibly made by Kemp (now Selden). Hope this helps.

 

[stav]

Took mine off the Conway I bought this summer. I was going to give it a season or two but gave up after a few sails. What a relief when it was gone. I managed to get a second hand mainsail and cut it about to fit but ended up buying a stock sail from Fareastsails and quite pleased with this for £600. Took it down by myself with the mast up using a webbing ladder on the topping lift and hoisted on the mainhalyard. It was bloody hard work and getting the last section down was trying. Also the little stainless pins that kept the sections connected had to be hacksawed to get each section down.

IN hind sight I could have given it more time and maybe looked at the blocks and freed of the lines. The main had to be winched in and out and feel that is ridiculous on a small main. However the boat looks proper now and I feel I am making her my own. Also gave a satisfied pat to the mainsail cover the other day when leaving after a good sail.