In Boom, In Mast or neither

SeanRW · #1 11-21-2008, 10:13 AM

I was hoping to begin a little discussion on the benefits / drawbacks of in-boom, in-mast systems versus a standard rig from the perspective of single handling or couples cruising.

Let us all know your thoughts and experiences with these different systems, specifically and features that you found useful or irritating. Were there any saftey concerns that mitigated one system over another. What about maintenance and reliability ?

Lots of people out there have little or no experience with these different systems and YOUR input might help them make a better informed decision.

The Quiet Assassin · #2 11-21-2008, 09:31 PM

I would not have in mast reefing. I was in Bequia when a Beneteau 51 Moorings charter boat came in with the main up and the in mast furler jammed with half a turn rolled in. The christmas winds were blowing, 20 to 30 knots with swirling gusts coming from all directions. What happened next?

First they got the anchor down and the headsail furled. Then they winched hammered pulled pushed and prayed over the in mast furling gear but to no avail. In the meantime the boat was sailing round its anchor causing a couple of nearby boats to up anchor and head for a safer corner of Elizabeth harbour.

Several people dinghied over to offer help advice but nothing worked.

Finally someone got pulled up the mast with a kitchen knife and hacked through the sail by the mast.

SeanRW · #3 11-22-2008, 01:14 PM

Yikes !!

That doesn't sound like a lot of fun. Scrambling up a 70+ foot mast in gusting winds while playing gotcha with a sputtering main that's locked in place and your yacht's twirling at anchor.

Now I know that failures of this type are rare indeed and it may have been caused by late or hurried sail handling but still. I guess the crew were wishing they had the traditional rig.

The Quiet Assassin · #4 11-27-2008, 11:47 PM

It defintely was not much fun for the crew but it was great theatre for the rest of the anchorage.

jlhiggs · #5 12-01-2008, 10:26 AM

I am not a fan of in mast furling. I was aboard one boat that jammed and it took us a good thirty minutes to free it. Good thing a squall wasn't coming. Did a Hunter in the BVI with one and when reefed, which we did every day, the sail shape was horrible and upwind performance was terrible.