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Can I furl "Hank-on headsails? Cruising and/or Racing sails. I just bought a boat loaded with these, but the previous owner only raced the boat and I want to cruise.
Not really. A hank-on headsail generally has hanks which clip in to the forestay, and the sail can then be raised using the halyard.
A furling sail requires a roller-furler to be fitted to the forestay. This has one or two slots that the forsail fits into, for raising and lowering the sail - which you rarely do. It also has a drum at the bottom which allows the sail to be rolled (furled) and unrolled.
Thus a hank-on and roller furler are very different approaches. A sailmaker may be able to modify an hank-on headsail for a roller furler - a lot depends on the cut, age, etc as to whether that approach makes sense. And of course, if your boat does not have it, you would have to install the roller furling equipment.
Alternatively, many people prefer hank-on headsails, even cruisers! There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches (as with everything to do with sailing). Personally I have a furler, and sometimes would have preferred hank-on sails....other days I delight in the convenience of a furler.
They do exist. My last boat - Columbia 43 - had a Mariner furling setup that furled hanked sails. The entire headstay rotated to accomplish it. It was a pretty early design and I never saw any advantage over a luff foil setup.
you can install Kiwi slide on the head sail and it will fit on the furler. however the racing sails are cut for max luff length and may need to be shorter to fit on a furler. Reef Rite Down Loader with Kiwi Slides
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