roller furling

[mrmac]

We purchased a sailboat last May with a 100 jib with roller furling. We would like to increase the jib size to a 140 or 150. The previous owner told me that with the 100, because it's not so big, will hold its shape when rolled in and can be used as a storm jib.

He says that with the 140 or 150 this is not so and that it will have to be dropped and a storm jib hanked on in severe weather.

This is our first experience with roller furling (except with a Hobie), but it seemed to me that you could control the size of the exposed jib well enough in a heavy wind to maintain speed and stability - even if the shape were not perfect.

We don't plan on winning any races (obviously) - just don't want to be foolish.

Input, please.

Thanks,
mrmac

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: roller furling

I really don't have any experience with roller furling but my concern with a genoa, used as a smaller sail, would be the size of the portion of the sail that ends up being wrapped around the forestay. A sail is nothing more than an airfoil, just like the wing of a airplane, and that "ball" at its leading edge can't help but disturb the airflow over the sail. If you have a sail loft in your area, go talk to them because they should be able to tell you what the problems/benefits are and why they affect the sail as they do.

 

[BillP]

Re: roller furling

People do it but using roller furling for reefing is a poor way to do it no matter what size the sail. When rolled smaller the center of effort raises...which is exactly what you don't want in reefing conditions. It also makes for poor sail shape. The forestay sag (even a little) makes for a balloon shaped sail when roller reefed and larger sails are the worst. That's why the owner told you not to do it with larger sails. Find someone that has a 140 or 150 and ask them to take you sailing and roller reef...one time out will show you exactly why it's not a good idea.

bp

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: roller furling

That's a really good post, Bill. It has been about 15 years since I sailed much and I completely missed that aspect of the roller furling system. I never much liked roller furling just because I knew it to be a system that, while it is convenient, involves a lot of compromise in terms of sail efficiency. For the OP's purposes, most of the drawbacks of roller furling probably wouldn't be a big deal but I think your point in terms of the height of the center of effort is very important, especially for a novice sailor.

 

[BillP]

Re: roller furling

I've owned several boats (up to 42') with roller furling and like it a lot. My 20' trailer sailer has it and I wouldn't think of taking it off because the advantages far outweigh the downfalls. It does "work" to some degree for reefing but I think the "reefing" hype was dredged up by sales folks to increase their sales quota...and us consumers often perceive the high priced glossy advertising put forth by them as factual.

bp