Removing in-mast furling

[gandy]

While boat hunting I've discounted anything with in-mast furling. However, I wonder if we may be missing out by not thinking this through.

What's involved in reverting? A new main sail, obviously, and some bits and pieces to add reefing lines. I can estimate the costs for that.

But what about removing the furling stuff - are all systems removeable, leaving a useable mast? I realise that systems will differ, but what should I be looking for if we end up viewing a boat with one of these systems.

Tony S

 

[DanTribe]

I removed my behind the mast reefing this year. It is straightforward once you have bitten the bullet and drilled the first hole.
I had to buy a new gooseneck fitting and the gate to allow access for the slides into the track, and 100 rivets to fill old holes.
I also replaced the masthead sheave as it had corroded, probably through lack of use.
If it is a Selden mast you will probably find that all the spare parts are readily available as they keep a good stock of parts for rigs many years old.
I also had rejected boats because of in mast reefing, but if you budget for removal, it is worth consideration.
When I bought my present boat I kept the in mast system for a couple of seasons to see if I could get to like it.
I could not.

Dan

 

[MrG_2]

We have a Jeanneau with a Z Spars in mast furling. It was bought new like this and its not possible to remove the system without buying a new mast.
There are pro's and con's with the in mast furling and on balance we wouldn't have it again unless there were specific reasons to do so...

 

[phatcat1]

You will find it almost impossible to do this as most sections that support in-mast are not designed to have conventional sails run up them. It may be you can add a track to the rear of the mast, but this is not ideal as the stress points will be different.

Your best option maybe to advertise a "Swap" with someone who has a conventional mast but wants in-mast furling. This would then save two of you a lot of grief and expense.

Post an ad with your owners club, this may bring the result you want!

 

[chubby]

I am thinking of removing an old retro fitted mainsail furling system: so stiff it defeats the object of having it plus no shape to the sail. I consulted widely at the SIBS, some sailmakers said they remove dozens off them with no problems, others worried about the number of holes left in the mast etc, even ?new mast, also do you go for full or partial battens, lazy jacks or not, what type of sail cover: stack pack or ordinary, what type of sliders or cars depending on battens etc, quotes for a 32 Barbary Ketch varied from under 1K to over 3K, plus question of how much better the boat will sail. What is the feeling of the forumites? we have an old Sparlight mast which I am sure will stand a few holes ( filled with rivets so it doesn`t whistle in the wind!)