Considering going to roller furling - comments/pointers?

[Stickinthemud57]

I have enjoyed sailing my 26S for just over a year using a 100% hank-on jib, changing it out for a smaller jib in higher winds (all protected water sailing). Lately, I am find myself wishing I could fly a genoa to keep the boat moving on days with lighter winds, but I have misgivings, and am looking for advice.

My questions would be:
1. Is it realistic to think of a 150% furling foresail as a "convertible" sail that I could completely unfurl in light winds, and furl for better control in higher winds?
2. How does partially unfurling a sail affect its performance in terms of speed and ability to point in comparison to a hank-on sail?
3. If performance is my goal, should I just get a 150% hank-on genoa and continue to change out sails as needed?

My sailing thus far is just for personal enjoyment, but I want to be experiencing good performance, and may want to start racing at some point.

So what about it, 26S owners? How do you approach the light-wind problem and still maintain performance?

Thanks!

[Jimmyt]

My questions would be:
1. Is it realistic to think of a 150% furling foresail as a "convertible" sail that I could completely unfurl in light winds, and furl for better control in higher winds?
2. How does partially unfurling a sail affect its performance in terms of speed and ability to point in comparison to a hank-on sail?
3. If performance is my goal, should I just get a 150% hank-on genoa and continue to change out sails as needed?

1. Yes - that is the idea.

2. Unfortunately, a partially furled sail will not have the shape that a hanked-on smaller sail will have. A furled sail is a cruising compromise that allows you to change sail size without changing sails.

3. Yes. See if you can find any serious racers in your area that are using furled sails in lieu of going to a different size sail.

I'll say this with one caveat. If your sails are baggy, blown-out crap; using a Furler won't be an issue. If you are using serious sails and looking for every advantage, forget the furler.

[Stickinthemud57]

Thanks for that reply. Pretty much what my gut is saying, but everywhere I look the boats on my lake are using roller furling. Wondering if I am just being a contrarian. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Here's a video that has helped me make up my mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLTDpT1TAVw

[Jimmyt]

My buddies that race seriously don't use them. I've seen that video you posted and they mention reliability as a factor if I recall correctly. That's another good reason not to have a furler if you're racing. I have never heard of a Hank-on sail failing to come down, but I've seen foresail Furlers stuck on two different boats - requiring a trip to the foredeck to sort it out (cruising- not racing).

It's a personal preference. I like Furlers, but I don't race. I'll take the convenience, a baggy sail when reduced, and an occasional headache.

Your boat, your rules.

[OverEasy]

Hi Stickinthemud57

I’ve heard both sides of the serious racer about foresail furling vs hank on…. I’m not personally one to race much anymore but I do watch and listen and think about what makes a successful venture.

Getting forward to drop/ gather/reset a hank on foresail is great if you have trained crew who are lively with hand/foot/head.
Lacking the above a furler can allow one to quickly add and reduce sail from the cockpit which can make a considerable difference when racing.

From what I have heard furler jams are mostly due to poor technique such as not providing tension drag on the furling line when letting out which leads to whipping and bunching which can jam the spool. Similarly using too large a diameter furling line or too stiff a furling line can also contribute to bunching and jamming when not providing furling line tension upon let out.

The time savings may make use of a furling foresail and rapid adjustment can make all the difference in a race. I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on being a purest but rather put in concentration on getting more flexibility and technique. Practice - Preparation - Perserverance are the attributes for consistent Performance.

Have fun!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Jimmyt]

OverEasy makes a good point regarding crew. If you are single-hand racing, or your crew is not agile and/or capable, a furling sail may be your only option. I assumed you would have capable crew due to your emphasis on performance...

Anyway, you could go the Highlander route and have several different headsails on different Furlers, locked and loaded. You wouldn't have any partially furled sails, just rapid sail changes from the cockpit. Or, run combinations of headsails... The occasional reliability issues are still there, but can be worked through.

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 4942-4.jpg

[Russ]

It's a personal preference. I like Furlers, but I don't race. I'll take the convenience, a baggy sail when reduced, and an occasional headache.

Your boat, your rules.

+!

One of my least favorite things to do is go up on the foredeck with any kind of chop. I have one memory of attaching the jib halyard as a wave broke over me totally soaking me.
For that reason, I will forever use roller furling gennies. My 150 has foam luffs for reefing. I reef often as my lake's winds are so erratic. Either very light or way too much. Reefing is super easy and fast. Faster than going up there to swap out headsails (been there done that).
I love being able to make the headsail any size I want.

I had one instance where I had to go forward to manually untangle the furler. Mostly because I wasn't careful when pulling the sail out to keep tension on the line. I've never had that problem again. However, as Jimmy stated, hank-on sails will almost always come down easily.

I have no intention of racing, but if I did, I would do it for fun and still keep the roller furling and not expect to win races every time. The Mac 26M sails like a barge. But I've outraced other sailors because, frankly, they didn't know how to sail.

We all own and use our boats differently. For me, I'm happy to be floating and moving. I've owned faster boats and still didn't want to race.

As Jimmy appropriately stated, your boat, your rules. There is no one size fits all solution.

[dlandersson]

Note that the video makes the point that hank-on sailing is best for ocean sailing, and for coastal sailing RF is hands-down better.

Thanks for that reply. Pretty much what my gut is saying, but everywhere I look the boats on my lake are using roller furling. Wondering if I am just being a contrarian. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Here's a video that has helped me make up my mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLTDpT1TAVw

[dlandersson]

Ditto

One of my least favorite things to do is go up on the foredeck with any kind of chop.

[NiceAft]

You have some good advise. What it comes down to is If you're a serious racer, go for the hank on sail, just don't %#x&*! on all of the other times you just want some nice sail time with little deck time. Run all lines back to the cockpit and enjoy.

[dlandersson]

If I were a serious racer, would I have an X/M/S?

You have some good advise. What it comes down to is If you're a serious racer, go for the hank on sail, just don't %#x&*! on all of the other times you just want some nice sail time with little deck time. Run all lines back to the cockpit and enjoy.

[Jimmyt]

Original post was for a 26S. A bit of a different animal than the M or X...

[NiceAft]

You’re nicer than me Jimmy.

[Stickinthemud57]

Good stuff guys, and thanks!

I decided to go with a 4-oz Rolly Tasker hank-on 150% genoa for the following reasons:

-Desire to sail at peak efficiency/speed. Just because.
-Sunk costs in (used) 75% and (new) 100% jibs.
-The fact that I actually enjoy messing with the sails.

When I started down the "hank-on" road, I figured that eventually I would go to roller furling. I have decided for now to stay active on the foredeck, especially since the lakes that I sail are not subject to the high seas of coastal areas. I call my boat my "floating gymnasium", so since I enjoy the activity (and need it!), it will be hank-on and changing sails for the foreseeable future.

Thanks again for the comments and insights!

[NiceAft]

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