MacGregorSailors.com

I am considering purchasing a used and I saw on the Macgregor website a video of the roller reefing main. While it seems pretty easy to use and functional, I would like to hear first hand from users about the ease and functionality of the system and whether they recommend it.

If you sail in 25mph + breezes they don't recomend using the roller furrler. I dont know why they don't recomend using them out in breezy weather!! I still have 3 reefs with single line quick reefing on my main but I enjoy 25 to 35 mph breezes doing 9.5 mph on the 3rd reef on a broad reach and there are lots of days like that for us.

I would get the boat, get comfortable with it before doing a significant mod like that. You may find you won't need it.

If you do a decent job of tracking the weather, you can leave the dock reefed and not have to worry about doing it when you get out there.

I am in the same boat, looking for a roller reefing main. Anybody with experience and info where to buy? Are there different options available? Is it possible to lower the mast with a roller reef attached to the mast like with the standard main on an M?
Hans

We have a third-generation, prototype, Inman Roller Reefing Mansail mechanism installed on our boat. I have mentioned several times in the past and will repeat that we are thoroughly happy with it. It is constructed using most of the original factory boom materials. It allows for an infinite number of reefing points. I would especially recommend it for a single-handed sailor. I do not know about lowering the mast with the boom attached, since I have no need to perform that task. I'm sure that Mr. Inmon could answer that question, however.

Paul S the first thing to do in strong winds is to loosen the boom vang and then reef if needed. About leaving the dock reefed there have been times that were out in the middle of a big streatch of water sailing a 12 mph breeze and a steady 40 mph breeze hit us and reefing from the cockpit is all you can do or want to do and stay off the deck. Of course we sail on the Columbia and Snake rivers where a storm fronts blow in quickly, but we have seen a front move thru when in big waters like Pudget Sound in the Salish Sea and the fetch is 10 miles and big waves can build quickly. Mike inman says there main sail roller reefing has not been tested in winds over about 25 mph and can't stand behind the system untill it is tested, I mention to him there are lots of 35 to 45 mph breezes on the Columbia river just west of Portland where the wind surffers hang out. I guess Mike is reluctant to test the roller reefing system in good sailing breezes. We would love to have a GOOD STRONG roller reefing instead of the 3 single line reefing systems we have now with all that line to deal with. By the way we have line bags attached to the boom to store the reef line in.

!	kmclemore:
	Removed derogatory word which some found to be insulting. Let's try not to call each other names, shall we?

I would take a look at two other products that are available prior to making a decision.

I have a 38' heavy displacement cruiser and just replaced mine with a new Harken system. It is built like a brick s---t house and has handled every weather condition thrown at it so far. The cost to purchase and install was outrageous.

Another system to consider is the CDI mainsail furler. We have sold around six of them in the past 120 days even though we don't have the product listed yet on www.kellyhansonsails.com. I guess folks see we carry the full line of headsail furlers and call.

Check out the CDI site for more details.

We offer a steep discount off MSRP. Contact us at customerservice@kellyhansonsails.com for a quote