[WHOOSH]

"...but that should never occur once the furler is properly installed and tested for proper halyard angle and length."

Oh...because something should never fail, it never will? Ahhh, yes...

"Obviously if you encounter abnormal resistance something is wrong. If you''re careful it''s not a problem."

That''s the point, isn''t it. You start using a winch for your furling line, and you''ll have a hard time feeling that add''l resistance...and then something will break. Being ''careful'' is not about putting a furling line on a winch and cranking, IME.

Don''t think anyone was challenging the value of a furling system for short-handed sailing.

Jack