dealing with roller furling jib failures?

[midlifesailor]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Here's a picture of a boat with both in-mast and jib furling reefed a bit. Notice the set of the sails.
Brian

He's probably doing hull speed with a nicely balanced helm so whats to problem?

I think some folks get a little too wrapped up (pardon the pun) about perfect furled sail shape. You furl because there's plenty of wind and you probably don't need perfect sail shape to get acceptable performance. While racers have crew and can change to the optimal sail cruisers are probably happy so long as the boat is moving smartly and they're not fighting the helm.

Now, if you want to argue the wear and tear on the sail that you'd get sailing with a roller reefed headsail in heavy wind for prolonged periods, then you have a valid argument.

I'm replacing the furling unit on my boat with a unit that will allow me to partially reef my 150, so I can quickly depower when the winds start overpowering the helm. Most of the time I need the sail area for the light air of the Chesapeake, but there are times when the winds pipe up and I'd like to be able to reduce the weather helm and heeling. We generally don't get big winds all day, so I'm looking forward to having an option other than all or or all in.

[GaryHLucas]

For a cruiser I believe a roller furler on the jib will make your boat on average FASTER. Thats because you'll use the jib more, and often carry a lot of sail that you wouldn't otherwise. I also found we frequently sailed with just the 150 genoa to go out for a swim. Without the furler we'd have motored. The only time I am really worried on a boat is when the engine is running!

Gary H. Lucas