Inmon mainsail roller furler

[kg3]

I purchased my 26 M new in 2011 with an Inmon mainsail roller reefer/furler. After working with it a while, I'm now happy with it. I wanted to post this summary of my experience with it, because when I posted questions on this forum before I purchased it, there was mostly negative commentary, most of which was speculation not supported by any experience with it. Since that time there have been a few positive mentions, but not many details. So here goes.

The furler works best, raising or lowering, headed directly into the wind, motoring at the lowest possible speed for maintaining the course directly into the wind. But there is another important point.

When lowering the sail, I learned that I could not get the sail to roll properly unless I tugged the leach (trailing edge) of the sail with every turn or two of the boom. The dealer instructed me to do this, but I thought it was mainly to get it to roll up flat without creases. But the more important reason is that, in my experience, without doing that, the sail creeps forward along the boom as it rolls, and piles up progressively against the mast, creating increasing resistance to rolling and making it difficult to roll down the last few feet of sail.

This problem was worse in stronger winds. In fact, several times, before I learned how important this maneuver was, I just could not get the sail completely rolled down, and returned to port in a strong blow with the top few feet of bolt rope still in the slot and the top few feet of sail sail flogging violently. I adjusted the topping lift a few times but that didn't help. Near the middle of the second season, 6 inches or so of bolt rope tore away from the sail. After I repaired it, I was almost ready to give up on the Inmon furler. I conversed with Mike, who agreed that tugging on the leach as the sail goes down is a helpful maneuver. I finally figured out that I just *had* to keep tugging on the leach of the sail as it went down, *especially* at the beginning of lowering the sail, and *quite frequently and forcibly* in a strong blow. It is a challenge for me to coordinate the manipulation of the sail with the manipulation of the halyard and the furling line. In a blow, I need an assistant at the helm helping me by manipulating the sail in the early stages of lowering it, as well as maintaining the upwind course.

One more point. I do have a stripe sewn on the sail as a UV-protective 'sail cover.' But my local sailmaker noted that, when the sail is rolled, this still leaves exposed a little bit of the sail: the bolt rope seam, especially at the top of the sail. He thinks UV damage may have contributed to the failure at that seam when it flogged violently. He is making me a canvas sail cover, foreshortened to cover just where it's needed at the luff of the sail and around the mast. An extra thing to do to after returning to the dock, but not that much.

Despite these inconveniences, I am happy I have the system on my boat. I am 67 and have some physical impairments, and my highest priority is staying off the foredeck when away from the dock. Also, my home sailing ground is Lake Tahoe, where conditions often change suddenly and without warning, and roller reefing is a godsend.

[kg3]

PS I'd really like to hear from anyone else with experience using this furler, especially if you have any tips on using it.

[Ixneigh]

Reefing is a chore on my boat, but im finding out it can take quite a bit of breeze. I usually just lose the jb, and if its too windy for the main, I motor. I have to go forward to do all this. I was interesred in the roller though. Thanks for your update on it.
ix

[Bluenote]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Previously owned an 03 M for 5 years. Currently sailing a 95 Santana 2023C with a full battened roller reefing main. Yes, motoring slowly into wind is key, and pulling on the leech helps, but the best thing we have found is to raise the topping lift a foot or two. Thus when you furl or reef the sail wants to roll to the back of the boom and not jam against the mast.
Regards,
Bluenote

[kg3]

Thanks Bluenote. When I shortened the topping lift a little during furling previously, the angle of the boom caused the forward end of the furler to bounce against the mast, scratching up the mast a little. I was afraid if I shortened the topping lift as much as you're describing, I might cause some damage. Next time I'm out (May or June), I'll shorten it a foot or two.

[Bluenote]

Just to add... We have two positions on our topping lift. Fully extended for sailing, then raised for furling or to add some headroom from the boom while moored or anchored. If the furling assembly may bind against the mast, perhaps try only raising a foot.
Bluenote