Furling Mainsails

[Sailmc]

I have just purchased a Jeanneau 43DS with a furling main. I am an experienced sailor but am unfamiliar with furling mains. I am looking for handling and trimming tips and advice.

[weaverc]

I have a Hunter 410 with in-mast furling, and after 4 months I''m still learning. The main thing is to keep a fairly full belly in the sail with winds less than 16 or 18 knots. I have found that 10% is about right for my boat. For the main, that means a draft depth of almost 2 feet. When running close-hauled, ease out the mainsheet, but then re-center the boom with the traveler. That also helps maintain a more traditional sail shape. Also, if you don''t have telltales on the main, put them on. It makes a difference.

[Sailmc]

It sounds like you need to make up for the draft lost by cutting the sail flat enough to furl. I have heard that some people leave the boom centered and just adjust the outhaul to trim. Have you tried this or is it just laziness? Where do you have the teltales attached? I am used to them on the leach at the batten pockets(oops no battens)This is how I''ve always trimmed the main but I would think they would get ripped of during furling.