In mast furling

dylanwinter said:
anyone got any experiences to share

https://ssli.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY1WDEwMjQ=/z/j24AAOSw9N1V2bNc/$_86.JPG

I assume that leach flutter is inevitable

D
Click to expand...

No, leech flutter is not inevitable if the sail is cut properly. Your link does not work, but I guess if it is on the sort of boat that you are looking at it is an "add on" setup which is not as good as a properly designed OE rig such as fitted to new boats. Neither is it really any advantage on a boat much under 30', although if the furling mechanism works properly (not always a given) it does make sail handling easier and has the ability to more closely match sail area to conditions. The downside of a conversion is loss of sail area, particularly the roach meaning the boat is probably under canvassed. However this is not such an issue if the boat is designed for the rig in the first place. I am on my second boat with Selden in mast and would not have any different, accepting the minor loss in performance at the margins for easy handling and that ability to infinitely adjust both sails rather than being constrained by step changes as with conventional reefing.
 
I've owned my present boat with in-mast furling for the mainsail, for nine years, and it is excellent. The leach has no roach, which means some loss of area, but no flutter. Got caught in a sudden F8 squall off Colonsay, some days ago, and just wound the main away, and continued on with genoa and mizzen. No drama. Almost all boats now have furling jibs, and I dare say that in a few years, most except racers, will have furling mains.
 
Tranona said:
No, leech flutter is not inevitable if the sail is cut properly. Your link does not work, but I guess if it is on the sort of boat that you are looking at it is an "add on" setup which is not as good as a properly designed OE rig such as fitted to new boats. Neither is it really any advantage on a boat much under 30', although if the furling mechanism works properly (not always a given) it does make sail handling easier and has the ability to more closely match sail area to conditions. The downside of a conversion is loss of sail area, particularly the roach meaning the boat is probably under canvassed. However this is not such an issue if the boat is designed for the rig in the first place. I am on my second boat with Selden in mast and would not have any different, accepting the minor loss in performance at the margins for easy handling and that ability to infinitely adjust both sails rather than being constrained by step changes as with conventional reefing.
Click to expand...

retro fit for sure

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kayaks-jet-skis/westerly-centaur-yacht/1130471423
 
NormanS said:
I've owned my present boat with in-mast furling for the mainsail, for nine years, and it is excellent. The leach has no roach, which means some loss of area, but no flutter. Got caught in a sudden F8 squall off Colonsay, some days ago, and just wound the main away, and continued on with genoa and mizzen. No drama. Almost all boats now have furling jibs, and I dare say that in a few years, most except racers, will have furling mains.
Click to expand...

that is good news....

this is a retro fit - and the vendor says the main is orginal

so I assume it is not cut correctly

however...... being able to kill the sail area quickly does sound good
 
Looks OK if a bit OTT down below. Good engine. In mast would not put me off if everything else was OK with the boat and the sails were in good condition.
 
dylanwinter said:
that is good news....

this is a retro fit - and the vendor says the main is orginal

so I assume it is not cut correctly

however...... being able to kill the sail area quickly does sound good
Click to expand...

It looks like the Bamar system, which is rivetted on to the aft face of the mast. The furling line runs on a spiral grooved section below the boom, so can't get jammed. An ordinary mainsail simply wouldn't furl into the Bamar, so if it is the original main it must have been extensively re-cut.

I fitted Bamar furling on a Westerly Corsair I owned; it worked well and was very convenient.
 
pvb said:
It looks like the Bamar system, which is rivetted on to the aft face of the mast. The furling line runs on a spiral grooved section below the boom, so can't get jammed. An ordinary mainsail simply wouldn't furl into the Bamar, so if it is the original main it must have been extensively re-cut.

I fitted Bamar furling on a Westerly Corsair I owned; it worked well and was very convenient.
Click to expand...

jolly good

thanks for that

wonder if Jeckells want to have a go at making a nice one

must be a real challenge

D
 
That my friend looks to be the finest In, (well, behind the mast), furling gear there is. Looks like TAB sails of Hamworthy Poole circa 1988 according to my boats historic file. Its wonderful (IMHO). Has only gave me grief once and that was because of over-tightening the main halyard which then overloaded the top and bottom bearings to a degree that it would not turn the wrapping shaft in the mast housing. So I know not to do that any more.

My mainsail is one of their sails which is slightly smaller than the standard Centaur mainsail but enables all sorts of tweeking of camber and outhaul to get some great shapes.
I go to the mast twice a year. Once to put it up, the other to take it down:D. I do not possess a sail tie nor have to know the requisite knot to apply to same.
Thoroughly recommend it.

Could not live with that cabin decor though :disgust:
 
A born again convert to in mast reeling.
Wouldnt be without it now after 6 years use, no dancing about on coach roof with sail ties, wet sail covers etc.
Easy to deploy, reef and stow. With a decent cut and vertical battens, loss of area minimal and if you get flutter you ain't doin it right.

Oh and mine is an after market addition.
 
UncleAlbert said:
That my friend looks to be the finest In, (well, behind the mast), furling gear there is. Looks like TAB sails of Hamworthy Poole circa 1988 according to my boats historic file.
Click to expand...

The Tab system was similar to the Bamar system. I thought the Tab system had the spiral groove section exposed, whereas the Bamar enclosed it, just leaving a slot for the rope to run in, as shown on the Centaur pics Dylan linked to.
 
You loose the roach, and some of the older systems are prone to jamming. You also have to worry about the thickness/weight of your sail fabric, as there is only so much room in the mast - too thick a fabric and you'll not be able to get it all in there. The clew sticks out at all times and thus the UV strip will need replacing more often than if you had a sail cover on. It also doesn't furl on all points of sail (or only with greatly increased wear on the sail).

Modern ones don't jam when set up correctly (halyard and foil tension), and you never have to worry about reefing lines again or cling to the mast in a gust while you're trying to get the tack on the horns. You can even have the roach now with either furling battens ("flattens") or vertical battens (often seen in production boats, but have the severe downside of preventing you from dropping the main if anything goes wrong).

I've bought a boat with one and so far quite like it! :)
 
Fine, except it is not properly rigged! Trust me! I'll explain.

Anyway, in mast is great as long as the sail does not have a 'big belly' .

Have had one for the last 10 seasons and with crew limited in competence, confidence and desire to go to the mast the in mast reefing has been great. Easy to manage quite finely to ensure that you are having a sail set up to match the conditions.

Cannot speak too highly of them, but rig it properly!
 
I had an add on Seldon furler on a Vancouver 27. I could never get on with in and removed it and went back to slab reefing. The problem was the main had no power especially when reefed so tacking was difficult. The other thing to bear in mind is the weight of the furler, this adds a great deal to the mast weight and can make the boat more tender than the designers wanted. Your best bet is the ask on the westerly owners site.

davdmh
 
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