Roller furling main
 

Hello,
I am about to book a charter yacht for next summer in Greece. This will be my first time sailing without a skipper. The boat is an Oceanis 393 and is listed as having "roller furling main". I have never sailed with one and don't know anything about them. I would appreciate any comment some of you may have about them, their reliabilty and usefulness.
One other thing I would appreciate hearing about. How much chain should I expect to have on the anchor rode on a charter yacht of this size?
Thank you

Roller furling main is just like your furling head sail...most likely, it will be on the boom, so what you will see is a big U, that houses your normal size boom, this boom will rotate 360 degree, therefore gathering and reducing the size of the sail the more you haul in. Or, it could be on the vert. plain, and same furl method as a head sail. If I were to charter a boat, it would be all chain...And this you will not now until you get there.

So dousing the sail becomes easier and reefing is as well?

Yes..that is the idea...The only thing you have to worry about is finding out what angle the boom needs to be at when rolling the sail in so that it rolls smooth and doesn't bind!

Most likely it will be an in mast Fuler. A lot of the production boats come with them as standard equipment these days.
I won't get in to the "Great Debate." I will just say, if used properly, they are very simple to operate.

zak,

Many people bad mouth in mast furling but it is usually due to ignorance. I was skeptical until I got a boat with a furling main a few years ago. Many will say it jams but any jamming is usually due to operator error.

Here's the proper way to do it. Ease the main sheet, ease the vang, grind the outhaul while keeping tension on the furling line. The most important part is furling the main. Most problems arise from improper furling. To furl, ease the main, ease the vang, grind the furling line while keeping tension on the outhaul. Keeping tension on the outhaul while furling is important. If there is no tension wrinkles will occur. Keep an eye on the sail as you furl, if it wrinkles haul it out a bit and try again. Yes that is a 393 in my avatar.

If you want more info on the 393 try here:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/
beneteau393 : Beneteau393 Group

As for chain it depends on the company but I would want a minimum of 200 ft.

A heartfelt thank you to all of you.
Looking forward to a great two weeks in Greece and further sailing thereafter.

Zak,
this may help
http://www.usspars.com/productmainfi...lingManual.pdf

I have chartered half a dozen times in the Med and the Adriatic. Every boat came with an all-chain rode and I believe we never had less than 60m (200 ft).

ZAK,

Pay attention to Vasco. He has it down pat. Never have a problem with mine if I follow what Vasco proscribed.