In-Boom Furling

[Laser310]

I've Sailed quite a lot on Oyster's with in-mast furling - I dislike it...

I've only sailed a little bit on a boat with in-boom furling - i know that you need everything properly aligned for it to furl, but other than that it seemed to be okay

can they generally be reefed at any position one desires?

or, are there specific reinforced spots on the leech - just like a normal sail - that restrict the possible reefing positions?

 

[cmedsailor]

If I may ask, why do you dislike in-mast?

 

[Laser310]

If I may ask, why do you dislike in-mast?

For the same reasons as others who don't like them - terrible sail shape.., mast like a telephone pole and completely un-tunable, weight aloft, complexity, chance of getting stuck when you need to reef...

i'm mostly a racing sailor and have been fortunate to have sailed on some great boats with beautiful sails - I understand that cruisers have different needs.., but those sails are so bad that it's a step too far for me...

I've sailed offshore on a few Oysters - up to a 625. One - a 485 - had manual in mast furling. It was _not_ easier to reef than slab reefing on a similar sized boat- it took more effort on the winch, took more time, and was harder on the sail: more time = more flogging

On the bigger Oysters the furling was hydraulic - it worked, but you would definitely do some damage if something wasn't right and you didn't notice in time.

I understand that on the last Oyster round the world rally some of the bigger boats experienced trouble and were unable to reef.

 

[cmedsailor]

For the same reasons as others who don't like them - terrible sail shape.., mast like a telephone pole and completely un-tunable, weight aloft, complexity, chance of getting stuck when you need to reef...

Although I am now on my second boat with again in-mast main sail and never had any problems I will not completely disagree. You need to know how to use it correct. This is very important. I never let anybody else touch it, especially to reef/furl.
As far as the shape is concerned, I used to say the same with the in-mast sail of my previous boat. Horrible, ugly piece of cloth. That was until I bought my new boat with vertical full battens. Lovely shape with roach!
I will definitely agree, that cruisers have different needs than racing sailors.

 

[Elemental]

or, are there specific reinforced spots on the leech - just like a normal sail - that restrict the possible reefing positions?

Like you, having owned a boat with in-mast furling I have an in-built district of all things furling ... (I'm in the unusual position of having owned the same boat with in-mast furling and lately slab-reefing - night and day as they say)

I've only sailed a few hours with in-boom furling on an X-Yachts 4.6, with fantastic North 3Di sails. The in-boom furling surprised me as we seemed able to get a good sail shape. Apparently, you're supposed to reef with the batten (full) on the underside of the 'roll' - so not infinitely adjustable. The resultant reefed sail looked to have a great flying shape - although the sail is still cut a little flatter than a conventional main. The skipper did make sure that the boom was in precisely the right place for the furl, otherwise the roll can walk forward or backwards along the boom but TBH it didn't seem that critical to me.

I'd still question whether it's any easier than properly set up slab reefing, and it's a lot of money and weight. But definitely better than in-mast...

 

[jordanbasset]

Having owned 2 boats with in-mast furling I would never go back to conventional furling system and if I did my wife wouldn't let me!
We find in-mast reefing so easy, we are both able to do it single handed from the cockpit. I get people say it may mean the boat is not as quick, but for our style of sailing it makes no difference.
Would be open to trying an in-boom system

 

[ip485]

You are right about the shape. Inevitably it is a compromise, and one too far for some. It is worth looking at the latest sail design and full length circular battens which improve the shape no end. I also think some sailors with in mast just give up on sail shape, but in fact there are degrees of tuning you can do too improve the shape. On my IP I would defy anyone with slab reefing to get even close to the speed with which we can reef or furl the sail and all without moving from the cockpit. I also dont think jams ever need to happen, but I agree good technique is key. I have powered wiches for the furling which is a good compromise. Any form of power on the furling system can produce enormous loads very quickly and should anything go wrong it can cause problems very very quickly.

In boom I think is an even better solution and I would prefer in boom even more. My experience is that the set up is even more critical and I suspect it is only warranted on yachts 50 feet and above. I dont think it offers any advantages over in mast other than a better sail shape, but I agee with the O/P there is nothing better than seeing a good sail shape.

 

[geem]

You are right about the shape. Inevitably it is a compromise, and one too far for some. It is worth looking at the latest sail design and full length circular battens which improve the shape no end. I also think some sailors with in mast just give up on sail shape, but in fact there are degrees of tuning you can do too improve the shape. On my IP I would defy anyone with slab reefing to get even close to the speed with which we can reef or furl the sail and all without moving from the cockpit. I also dont think jams ever need to happen, but I agree good technique is key. I have powered wiches for the furling which is a good compromise. Any form of power on the furling system can produce enormous loads very quickly and should anything go wrong it can cause problems very very quickly.

In boom I think is an even better solution and I would prefer in boom even more. My experience is that the set up is even more critical and I suspect it is only warranted on yachts 50 feet and above. I dont think it offers any advantages over in mast other than a better sail shape, but I agee with the O/P there is nothing better than seeing a good sail shape.

There are a lot more American yachts about with in boom reefing. I think in boom will eventually take over from in mast.
If something goes horribly wrong you can still get the sail down with in boom. In addition, as you reef you are bringing the weight aloft down as well. With in mast a deep reef is next to useless for driving upwind.

 

[dunedin]

Not sure where you are based, but if near the Solent a chat with X-Yachts, or one of the X-Yacht owners might be worthwhile, as a lot of their fast cruisers seem to have in boom reefing nowadays (as sea_spray’s post confirms).
Don’t think it is cheap, particularly when combined with North 3D sails, but if can afford it seems much better performance than conventional in mast furling.
Below 40 foot, I will stick with slab reefing controlled from the cockpit (plus electric halyard winch if feeling lazy).

 

[Laser310]

Apparently, you're supposed to reef with the batten (full) on the underside of the 'roll' - so not infinitely adjustable

So: each full batten is a reef spot.., and you can't or shouldn't, reef between the battens - right?

Can they be reefed under load, say sailing downwind.., or is it necessary to luff the sail?

 

[Elemental]

So: each full batten is a reef spot.., and you can't or shouldn't, reef between the battens - right?

Can they be reefed under load, say sailing downwind.., or is it necessary to luff the sail?

Given the requirements for a fairly precise boom angle during the furl, I'd suggest that it's wise to take the pressure off the sail. I have to say tho. that I'm no expert on this.

I've been quoted £20k - £30k for a good FurlerBoom in-boom setup so it's not cheap IMHO.