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Furler question

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/18/2006 : 19:25:43

If I add a roller furler for the headsail, will I have to get the sail re-cut? How does the sail attach to the furler? Any costs involved beyond the cost of the furler? (e.g. sail mods, changes to existing rigging, etc.)

If I load a 150% Genoa on the furler, can I safely sail with it shortened for extended periods or will I have to change to a 110% if I want to decrease sail area?

Thanks for all the lessons guys.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2006 : 21:31:10

John,

More than likely, you'll need to have a hanked on headsail recut to perform better on the furler. Sails for furlers are generally cut a little flatter (less draft) to allow them to roll up more evenly on the foil. The latest trend has been the addition of foam or rope luffs that take in some of the extra belly as it is furled which gives a better shape to the reefed headsail. The luff is also shorter to allow room for the furling drum. Additionally, the clew is cut higher on roller furled headsails. Lastly, you'll need a UV cover sewn onto the sail.

As to how the sail connects to the furler, instead of hanks, a furler sail has what is called a luff tape (generally #6), which functions the same as a boltrope, that is fed into a slot on the foil.

How much one can reef a headsail depends on the cut and condition of the sail. A sail with a fuller cut or one that is slightly blown out will not reef as pretty as a flatter sail or one with foam luff. In my experience, I can reef my 140 to about a 110, but sail shape is somewhat compromised. If I reef below the 110 size, a bubble in the sail forms at the luff about midway on the foil which makes sailing upwind a tad difficult.

With the main purpose of roller furling being convenience, you would want a sail that is sized for your prevailing local conditions, not too big and not too small, but somewhere in the middle to allow you some options. For my area, I like a mid size genoa, because if the wind pipes up, I can go a little smaller. I do sacrifice a little in light air where a 150 or 155 would be a good sail, but my local conditions are usually in the more wind category than less wind so I'm not missing out on much.