I think that one could argue that one should reduce sail
in advance of conditions such as the one you describe.
However, I have sailed many miles with furlers and
never had a problem. They are a safe and reliable tool.
We don't use them on our teaching boats for a couple of
reasons mainly. They're expensive and we're on a limited
budget. We want students to know what it takes to change
head sails, and we want them to know how to plan in
advance to do that.

"kim cairns" wrote in message
...

"Simple Simon" wrote in message
...
.

The ONLY reason racers use roll-ups is they cannot possibly
hand real sails. That does not mean roll-ups are superior in any
way, shape or form to safe, reliable, tried and true hank-on sails
that all sensible cruisers should be using.

Gee, and all this time I thought it was sensible not to go to the bow to
reduce sail area when it's blowing like stink and the seas are up to 30'.
I
should write a letter to those race organizers protesting their absolutely
dismal safety practices.


All NASCAR racers use roll cages and four point seat belts
and welded shut doors and fuel cells. They wear Nomex
suits.

Does that mean all automobile owners should install that crap
in their cars and invest in Nomex suits? No it doesn't. In the
same way sensible cruisers will sail a boat within their abilities
to single-handedly sail safely and this means hank-on sails are
the best choice.

So they should probably make seat belts in passenger vehicles optional.
The
government shouldn't test vehicles for crash worthiness, so what if the
roof
collapses when you have a roll over accident. That stuff about vehicle gas
tanks rupturing is just sissy stuff that the average consumer shouldn't
worry about. A final thought, there must be quite a few senseless
cruisers,
I can't recall the last time I saw a cruising boat built in the last 20
years that didn't have roller furling as an option. The only drawback that
comes to mind is it is something you wouldn't be able to slap together
from
bits of scrap metal.
John Cairns
S.Simon


"John Cairns" wrote in message
...

"Simple Simon" wrote in message
...
Better yet, get rid of all that sissy, high maintenance, prone to
failure,
unsightly, roll-up crap. Hank-on sails are markedly superior and
totally
trouble-free.

S.Simon - uses real sails not some woman's version patterned
after a window shade.

Sissy like this guy, maybe?
http://www.aroundalone2002.com/

Or maybe these folks.
http://www.transat650.org/

I know you're a HUGE fan of the French.
http://www.vendeeglobe.com/

Next time you sail around the Horn with your hank-on sails, let us
know.
John Cairns