weather helm/inmast furling

[catalac08]

any views/experiences on the effect or expected effect on weather helm due to the fitting of retrofit behind mast furling and how this compares with the scale of adjustment & control of weather helm by forestay -backstay adjustment of mast rake./bend.

 

[SteveSJM]

My boat has in mast furling main, so not exactly the same as behind the mast, but compared to my last boat which was not in mast, it's important to get the main as flat as possible when reefing, which tightening of the backstay will do.

I've found that providing I remember to tighten the backstay I can get away with a reasonable size bit of cloth out when the wind picks up.....sometimes!

 

[Salty John]

Presumably your furling main has no roach (no battens) so weatherhelm will be reduced. If the boat originally had a tendency towards too much weatherhelm this would be a good thing. On the other hand you don't want lee helm so may need to rake the mast to move the CE back?
I have little experience with in mast or behind mast furling but I have had roachless mainsails so am aware of the effect of this type of sail.

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I'm interested in fitting this kit on a 33 footer - what sort of price was it to fit and what sail changes have you had to make? Also considered a roller furling boom but know little about them - anybody know anything? I've never even seen one! All this owing to being rather less mobile than I once was! Thanks for any help.

 

[Richard10002]

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On the other hand you don't want lee helm so may need to rake the mast to move the CE back?

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For my in-mast furling to work, the mast needs to be straight - cant see how it can be different with retro-fit?

 

[reeac]

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On the other hand you don't want lee helm so may need to rake the mast to move the CE back?

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For my in-mast furling to work, the mast needs to be straight - cant see how it can be different with retro-fit?

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Whilst you can't introduce bend into a mast which has in-mast reefing [the foil would foul within its housing] I can't see why you can't rake the mast in order to move the centre of pressure of the sail.

 

[Salty John]

Bend and rake are two different things. In mast furling doesn't tolerate mast bend but mast rake should have no effect in the normal range.