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dennisneal wrote:As far as I know, the Inmon Roller-Reefing system can be used with almost any brand of sail. I think it would be difficult to be used with a mainsail that has verticle battens. I have a third-generation prototype Inmon system and am totally happy with it, as I've said several times already. My mainsail is the normal, factory supplied Doyle sail.

A further disadvantage of an in-mast furler system is that its additional weight raises the boat's center of gravity.

I agree.. and.... adding the cost of a Mast Furler to this boat "could " run $$$ as your more costly Modification.
Stability under power would be drastically reduced.. Stability, even in your slip in heavy wind, could be scary.

Well I love this topic, as I am Almost a Senior Citizen , and will do anything to make My sailing Day, for Myself & Family, just an easy Safe-experience.
While, I have no experience First Hand, with the Inmon boom-furler, for the past 7 seasons... I have worked on My European Mac Clone " the Odin 820" , and AKA Imexus 28

I have taken a few years to experiment , with the European style of Lazy Jack "Integrated sail cover/ with very good results: Built in Outhaul, Reefing, Downhaul, and still am using this system to date. Very seldom for Me to go on Deck to Raise or Lower the Main Sail.

I have been working , on a Second project boat, for 3 Years now, Same Model & Year, but with RollerBoom with Special cut MainSail. The weight of the Boom & MainSail are aprox
more than 100 Pounds, so require a nice solid supporting Gas or Spring loaded Vang, Like Gaurhauer type:
I Just don't think, Mac's , Odins, or Imexus Type Water Ballasted Boats will tolerate the the Size , or Weight of the different Boom Furlers reserved for Larger Craft:
Example "JohnMast-England", "Forespar", "Shaefer", "Furlboom" and "OceanFurl"
Just tooooooo Expensive, To Big and Heavy for these popular priced boats of "C - Class"
Anyway, I will let you know in 4 Months Time the results of open water tests, om My
"Mast of Poland" reefer-boom project. Will be Sailing "Charlotte Harbour" in Punta Gorda Florida. A good way to test out My retirement.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/2008115.asp



Cheers Captain jack

Captain Jack,

You have a very nice looking boat.

Interesting, but I’m not clear on this. I assumed that the mainsail would require a different cut and fittings to accommodate the furler. Also, looking at the video, the boom might be moved down on the mast, or the mast made longer to take the same sail without the furler? Looks like about an 8”gap between the furler spindle axis and the boom. How is that distance compensated for if the original main is used?

- Brian.

Those asking about the lazy-jacks/main sail cover combo item might want to check out Sumner's project pages - an amazing example of a combo like that.

On topic, I can't imagine that a boom-furling arrangement would have anywhere near as much impact on sailing performance as an in-mast furling arrangement... as "dirty" as the airflow must be down near the bottom of the mainsail (from hitting the side of the boat, deck, stanchions and other protrusions like winches, boom vang, the cockpit vortices, etc.) the airflow going over the mast must be a more critical component...IMHE.

Brian,

The boom on my boat is attached to the mast about 6 inches closer to the deck than the boats without a roller reefing system. So, the spool which takes up the sail is in about the same place as the normal boom. The foot of the sail is fully stretched out on the spool. Consequently, almost any sail that is cut for a 26M can be used with this system. I think its a clever design.

I hope this answered your question.

Hi Dennis -

Thanks, you answered my question precisley!

So I would guess that gives a corresponding decrease in cockpit headroom (for a bimini sunshade, or anything else) with the boom furler option. Good to know what compromises might have to be made.

Regards - Brian.

Brian,

We have a Bimini sunshade and use it while we are at the dock by tying the boom to one side. We cannot sail with the Bimini up since it would interfere with the boom. So, if its hot and suuny, I wear a broad-brimmed sun hat that is similar to an Aussie Bush Hat. Its a small compromise.

Yep and their goes your dodger & rigid vang & with an your gonna be crawling into the cabin plus dropping a big 3,000$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ , might as well just buy a pocket cruiser would be cheaper

I'm sure i could come up with something way cheaper

J

I have an interesting reefing idea, not sure if it would work, and wondering if anyone may have tried something like my idea in the past - would be as a way to reef without having to go to the roller-reefing hardware...but I don't want to hijack the thread...okay to bring it up here or should I start another thread?

FULL SPEED AHEAD... Hijack?? Hi ! Jack ! ... happens all the time. If its Novel / a new enough idea and someone or ones thinks its really a viable solution? Someone may in time redirect this portion of the thread .. OR....Maybe Better Yet ... Start a New thread in the Mods & Repair or Performance and tuning..area...Or as may well be the case Highlander Sumner or a couple others may already be doing R&D on it out of S.S. Hahahahaha

vizwhiz wrote:I have an interesting reefing idea, not sure if it would work, and wondering if anyone may have tried something like my idea in the past - would be as a way to reef without having to go to the roller-reefing hardware...but I don't want to hijack the thread...okay to bring it up here or should I start another thread?

Uh...dc...you didn't help me answer whether to post it or not!!
hee hee!!

#1. I haven't watched TV for 22 years.. this is.... my entertainment center
That said , when I open this site, The Index Page comes up. I cruise through each topic area except the Venture Discussion and The Back Room.. So I will see what you post anywhere else on this site.. IMHO if you post an off topic idea in this or any other thread, it may well get lost forever...

vizwhiz wrote:Uh...dc...you didn't help me answer whether to post it or not!!
hee hee!!

OK think of this attached to the foot of your main sail horozontaly go to page 146
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/0a0 ... 5b96ae/146
with a little imagination I think I could make this work Hmm where can I p/u a good used one for this experiment

J

OK vizwiz post it. It fits the title. So does it involve rolling from the middle of the sail?