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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

in mast main sail furling

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Johnnybob
1st Mate

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32 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/27/2012 : 05:40:05

Greetings, My wife and I think that eventually we might move up to a slightly larger boat 30'or so depending what good deal might come along. We are having a great time on our 250 but would like a few creature comforts like a shower, swim platform, etc. Also would like to extend our range up and down the coast just a little. What has caught my eye and I would welcome any input or experience with is a in mast roller furling main sail. Are these systems dependable? How likely are they to foul. I assume they are not battened, do you sacrifice performance? They sure look convenient but I am a little skeptical, the thought of the wind piping up and the sail getting jammed in the track or something concerns me. Thank you for any thoughts or input you can share.

John & Debra
Cow Island SC
TR WK 250 # 375

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2012 : 06:43:07

I've seen some in-mast systems where they used vertical battens to support a modest roach. Others omit battens and just live with a triangle (smaller) main.

Another option is an in-boom system, which allows horizontal (even full) battens for a full roach and better shape for stronger winds. It also has the advantages of being more accessible if something jams, uses the original mast, and, as pointed out in [url="http://www.practical-sailor.com/marine/boom-furling-systems-7036-1.html"]this article[/url], the additional weight is much lower.

But I've never had or used either.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/27/2012 06:44:14

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2012 : 08:35:32

We have a Beneteau Oceanis on the lake who has an in-mast furling system. He quit racing because he could not be competitive as he could not shape the main (and he's a damn good racer). He said that the system was as useless for racing as mammary glands on a male bovine!

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2012 : 09:22:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 We have a Beneteau Oceanis on the lake who has an in-mast furling system...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Isn't that a little like having a railroad locomotive in your back yard?

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2012 : 15:28:15

The ebook "Maximum Sail Power" (it's been discussed on the C-25 or General forum recently) has a pretty big section on this feature. They don't seem too fond of it either.

http://www.mojaladja.com/upload/Maximum_Sail_Power.pdf

I could see getting lazy jacks on a larger sail though.

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2012 : 06:50:08

I had inmast roller furling on the 2004 Catalina 350 I used to sail through the Windpath fractional program. It worked pretty well for cruising and made reefing easy. The owner/trainer of the boat spent some time maintaing the movement of the furling system itself (usually just with w-d 40 which would get squeaky and hard to turn in the elements. It gave the boat plenty of horsepower on Buzzards Bay anyway even though there were no battens.

I think it works well with larger boats where reefing could be a chore on a boom that may be hard to reach. I wouldn't suggest it for a 30 foot boat though because you do loose sail shape and it's not to hard to manage smaller sails anyway.

Vern Wright
Hajime

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vholmstrom
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2012 : 11:02:52

We chose a Doyle Stackpack with built in lazy jacks for our C250WK. It uses the original mainsail with full battens, makes it easy to reef, and very easy to put the main away. The only thing easier would be in-mast furling, but then you sacrifice sail shape and they are much more expensive.

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klassi1
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2012 : 13:12:25

We have a club member who has a 30ft Hunter with in mast furling. He bemoans the lack of power and often steerage. It's now for sale. He wants to by a Catalina.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2012 : 16:35:30

Hello Johnny,
I moved up a couple years ago to a 84 O'Day 28. When I got the O28 it had one of those behind the mast roller furlers. I was skeptical at first and was already making plans to remove it before I even bought the boat, but during the sail home I started having second thoughts.

After owning the boat now for three years I can honestly say I LOVE IT! If I bought another boat today one of the first things I would do is install a behind the mast furler.

I have not had one issue with it, other than making sailing much easier. Its so cool to tell the wife to reef the main and she pops the clutch pulls a line and its done!. No sail covers to deal with, I could go on...

What about performance? Well its my option it helps. Yes I said it. I've raced the old girl in three regattas and have a 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place trophy. Some of the guys I sailed against thought that the smaller main would effect the performance. That was until I sailed past them. Now the thinking is it provides better sail shape and is actually an advantage. Guess its all who you talk to. Just saying...

Edited by - Tom Potter on 08/09/2012 16:43:03

vholmstrom
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2012 : 09:23:11

On the ICW in central Florida, I see many boats sailing on just their jibs. There is an Island Packet with a cutter rig that always seems to sail on just the 2 jibs. This has to be because they do not want to take the time and effort to raise, and worse, put away their mains for a quick sail. That is probably why in mast furling is becoming the most sought ofter option on new boats. Anything thats makes it easier and gets people out sailing more works for me.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2012 : 19:14:37

Tom's experience and racing results speak to a basic characteristic of mast-head sloops like Catalinas, O'Days, and others: The headsail is the primary driving force for the boat. A fractional rig (forestay at about 7/8ths of the height of the mast) with the mast further forward is primarily driven by the main, so size, roach, shape, etc. are critical. Hunter's fractional B&R rigs allow even bigger roaches with full battens for more power from the main. (I suspect they are hogs under headsail alone, but faster than a Catalina if both boats are under main alone.)

I can't say I'd recommend it for serious racers, but for many C-25 sailers with roller 130+ headsails, a behind-the-mast furler (with the elimination of the roach or conversion to vertical battens) could be a great convenience enhancement that will probably cost you barely 5% in performance. The huge advantage over in-mast systems is you add it to your stock mast. They might look a little funny to our eyes, but.............

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/15/2012 19:28:44

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2012 : 05:41:41

So.... how many boating bucks does this cost?
Will D.
S/V Stardust
C-250 #215
SR WK
Hingham, MA

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