In-Mast Furling

willie4646

willie4646

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Hi Forum, I am planning to retro fit in-mast reefing on my 30Ft Oceanic Catamaran, either Easyreef or Facnor and would appreciate comments on the pros and cons of these makes. Is there any other types you would reccommend. also a rough price guide would be helpfull as the dealerships seem very reluctant to give costs.
Many Thanks
Willie
 
I fitted easy reef to my catalac. I was quite happy with the kit, but not the maxiroach main. it was cut far too high at the leach. I also fitted a small winch (originally on the mast as the slab reefing winch) as a means of controlling the leach tension (a good decision). I consider it to be essential to change the kicker control so that you can operate it from the cockpit. I also had vertical battens, and would do so again. Once fitted you need to become aware of its quirks, and then make sure that you cater to these quirks even in extremis.
 
IMHO, I think you might be going overboard (pardon the pun...) in complication. Why would you bother with this? A normal battened main on a 30ft boat is a hell of a lot easier to deal with than all the pulleys, right angles and gears you have to deal with in an in-mast furling.

I just don't get what you think you are trying to achieve with this????
 
Agreed, can not see the point of getting into all that on a small boat, (in fact, not on a big boat, and I have sailed them up to 50').
 
People seem to fall into 2 categories:
a. those who have it "love it"
b. those who don't have it "Oh I wouldn't if I were you"

If you want it then take advice from those who have it and then enjoy it. There's no absolute right or wrong.

I don't have any advice but enjoy getting informed.
 
I don't accept that simplification. It is not true. I have sailed a lot of different boats; big and small. With a lot of different sail plans. I do agree that an in-mast furling systems on a big cruiser with a small crew makes a lot of sense in good weather.

However, I have also seen the really serious drawbacks of blocks in the pulley and gear systems at the worst moments of very high winds when you cannot reef because the reefing system snags up on you and your only solution is to climb the rig with a knife between your teeth in 40 kts of wind.

Your choice of rig is indeed a sign of the kind of sailing you want to do.
 
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a 30 footer & in mast furling !!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

OK,



Sit down...




Swallow what's in your mouth...





Put your drink down...






Right: Now I can tell you that we have in-mast furling on out 22 footer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It was fitted when we bought the boat, and I was originally slightly anti, but having used it for the last 4 years, I quite like it (ease of use when sailing single handed, with family, or just with kids). It's got plusses and minuses which everyone needs to weigh up for their own situation. Made by Tab, though, so I can't contribute anything to the OP's question.

Andy
 
Thanks for the response. In answer to "sailorman","Fia Tia","Lady Jessie". I've been sailing cruisers for more than forty years, unlike them I am no longer fit to jump about the deck changing sails. With my wife as the only crew member I just thought I could make life on board a little bit easier.
 
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a 30 footer & in mast furling !!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, why not ?

I have a 30 footer with a Seldén furling mast. Never fails and VERY easy to handle. Highly recommended.
Check http://www.seldenmast.com
 
Bought my Sadler 29 last year with in mast reefing already fitted and have now had two seasons with it. Being a diehard slab reefing type of guy before led me to have some misgivings about said reefing system but as I sail mainly on my own I now feel I can advise on this. The one problem with in mast systems is the lack of battens which means the sail cannot ever be as good as one with battens. Against this is the ease with which one can reef. A single line and away you go to put the mainsail to bed ( best done facing into wind). It really is a case of swings and roundabouts.
 
[ QUOTE ]
IMHO, I think you might be going overboard (pardon the pun...) in complication. Why would you bother with this? A normal battened main on a 30ft boat is a hell of a lot easier to deal with than all the pulleys, right angles and gears you have to deal with in an in-mast furling.

I just don't get what you think you are trying to achieve with this????

[/ QUOTE ]

It's actually not that complicated compared to a normal mast/sail !!!

I know what you'll achieve; it takes less than 30 seconds to pull out or in the sail and you don't have to mess with the bag (or what you call the protection fabric).
 
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The one problem with in mast systems is the lack of battens which means the sail cannot ever be as good as one with battens.

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Not true, I have full length vertical battens on my maxiroach in-mast sail. They make a big difference to the shape of the sail, and make it easier to observe if the sail is getting twisted by too much pressure at the top or bottom of the sail when reefing, thus avoiding the dreaded jams.

I got my system as I found that single handing was a bit of a pain while trying to raise and lower the sail in poor weather conditions. The easyreef system solved that completely.

However, I was always aware of the additional weight in the mast due to the behind mast add-on (not as significant for a true in-mast system) I have also seen and liked the pro-furl in-boom system, and this does allow full length battens, and keeps the weight much lower.
 
If I was going that way at all, in boom makes a lot of sense for the reasons you,ve stated + one is left with all the convetional systems in the event of problems.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the response. In answer to "sailorman","Fia Tia","Lady Jessie". I've been sailing cruisers for more than forty years, unlike them I am no longer fit to jump about the deck changing sails. With my wife as the only crew member I just thought I could make life on board a little bit easier.

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Willie, you have to go with what you feel is best for you. My two pennies worth of opinion was that the issue might not be this black/while, i.e. that furling systems are always easier. IMHO it also has a lot to do with deck, halyards and sheets layout. I have a big fully battened main on my boat and I can do everything, raising, reefing and taking it down in seconds from the safety of my cockpit (putting on the sail cover takes a bit longer, but is never a critical operation). I have also sailed +40 years. I often sail single handed and I have found that it is very, very easy to handle a fully battened non-furling mainsail by myself if the deck/rig/cockpit layout is good and has taken this requirement into consideration.
 
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