Rum_Pirate
Well-known member
Which is better and easier to use with less problems, in-mast or in-boom furling?
In-mast or in boom furling?
- Thread starter Rum_Pirate
- Start date
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-known member
In boom furling is the latest thing and it appears to have less problems as with the in mast furling; also the boom furling makes more sense
BrianH
Active member
The in-mast fraternity vastly outnumbers the in-boom one here so with rationalisation being the name of the game, you will be inundated by fans of the former.
The subject has been heavily debated a few times before - a recent one, beginning with one of my posts, is here:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3390444#post3390444#65
The subject has been heavily debated a few times before - a recent one, beginning with one of my posts, is here:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3390444#post3390444#65
snowleopard
Active member
The advantages of furling in the boom are that it brings the sail down where you can get at it, e.g. in the event of a jam, plus it removes a lot of weight from aloft thereby improving stability.
On the down side it is harder to get a good sail shape because of the bunching of the luff rope. Also it relies on the sail feeding into the luff groove reliably. Something those of us who have fed sails into dinghy masts will be sceptical about.
On the down side it is harder to get a good sail shape because of the bunching of the luff rope. Also it relies on the sail feeding into the luff groove reliably. Something those of us who have fed sails into dinghy masts will be sceptical about.
GrumpyOldGit
Member
Most vessels that can carry in boom furling also have fully battened mainsail with luff cars, ( See Oyster ) so sail shape is far superior. downside is added windage from oversized boom.
In mast is great till the sails get older and wrinkle whilst furling causing jamming.
Hence there is no definitive answer...
I want an Oyster though so I will plump for in boom !!
Sybarite
Well-known member
Yes but it's important to have a means of ensuring that the boom angle remains constant. I met an owner who had real problems when his boom vang broke.
My own preference would be for slab reefing with lazy jacks/bag.
Last edited:
viago
Well-known member
i spent some time discussing this with the manufacturers at the southampton boat show. it seems that once the in-boom system is accurately set up- to within 0.5 of a degree, then it is trouble free. the main advantage being that in heavy weather the furled sail weight is much lower making the boat more stable, the other being the cut and battening of the sail improves performance.
i could not justify the cost - about 4k- but if money were no object id fit one tomorrow.
i could not justify the cost - about 4k- but if money were no object id fit one tomorrow.
Simondjuk
Active member
How do you get foot tension when reefed with these new in boom furlers? Is there some gizmo in the slot that grabs the leech and pulls it aft?
dunedin
Well-known member
How do you get the luff tensioned when reefed with a mast furler ? Arguably downhaul tension is more critical for shape than outhaul
Simondjuk
Active member
You don't in any effective manner. I just wondered if the in boom arrangement had addressed the sail shape issue of in spar furling sails, what with it being an 'advancement' and all.
That we've seen roller boom furling, in mast furling and now in boom furling, all of which supposedly offered benefits over slab reefing, yet eons after its advent slab reefing is still going strong, speaks for itself.
That we've seen roller boom furling, in mast furling and now in boom furling, all of which supposedly offered benefits over slab reefing, yet eons after its advent slab reefing is still going strong, speaks for itself.
snowleopard
Active member
How does that work when the cars get to the bottom of the track?
Long John Silver
Member
Both seem to have lots of problems. I'd stick to slab reefing if I were you.
jimbaerselman
New member
Every system has its advantages and disadvantages. Usually, it's a trade off between performance and ease of handling, with furlers sacrificing some performance in light winds, but gaining strongly in ease and speed of reefing in strong winds, especially when short handed. Slabs are fiddly to hoist (battens catching in lines) and slower to set correctly when reefing, with loops of rope to catch things if you're not organised. So they need more care.
Nice advantage for in mast rolling, rarely mentioned, is the sunny climate advantage of a small shadow. Means your solar panels are easier to position . . .
mjcoon
Well-known member
robp
Active member
Not an opinion, more of a report; A friend had "in boom" fitted at GBP4K+, about seven or so years back. Reason was to be able to have horizontal battens I think. Advancing in years, he found that it was hard work raising sail and changed back to in mast.
Talulah
Well-known member
Another advantage of in-mast is alternative uses for those full height battens.
Cuchillo needs a sweep: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307877
But can also be used for draining rodding etc.
Cuchillo needs a sweep: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307877
But can also be used for draining rodding etc.
windpipe
New member
I could go on for ages about pros and cons for each but at the end of the day in-mast is easier and (depending on the system) less problematic.
wklein
Member
Can i put in a vote for (properly set up) single line reefing.
DJE
Well-known member
Slab reefing with all lines lead back. I can put in or take out a slab in less than a minute in any conditions and on any point of sail.
prv
Well-known member
+1
Although on bigger boats I don't think there's anything wrong with having the lines at the mast either.
Pete
