Scott wrote:
I recently watched a cable program on heavy weather sailing techniques.
During a reefing discussion the distinction was made between headsail roller
furling and roller reefing systems. How does one tell the difference?

Thanks in advance -

- Scott

Roller furling the jib works kinda like roller reefing on the main
(by winding the main around the boom, having a swivel bearing on the
boom gooseneck and if a topping lift is desired, or a secure
mainsheet attachment, at the boom end also) but the jib is wound
around the forestay or a foil fitted over it, which also needs two
swivel bearings, one at top, one at bottom. Some installations need
to cut the forestay to install swivels, some swivel around an intact
forestay. The more conventional term used is jib furling, to my
experience.

Trust a tv announcer to get details foggy.

Roller furling of the jib works ok until the wind pipes up or
something breaks or jams, usually the top swivel or drum rope. Then
you are up posiedon's ass. Using the jib furler to reef the jib may
not work as well as you expect, despite ads for luff padding.
Reducing jib sail area and maintaining good jib shape means changing
jibs, which is difficult to do with the luff tape reqired in jib
furlers, what with loose luffs all over the deck and side in a blow.
The longer it takes to decide you have an unsatisfactory situation
the worse it gets, according to Murphy. One option is double
grooved headfoils with furlers. You might find it easier to hoist a
small sail "in the lee of a larger one", as I have seen advertised,
I doubt it. Folly, all folly. Double headstays, jib downhauls and
ready hanked on storm sails may be best, depending on your
situation, tastes and budget. They snag each other some. Nothing is
perfect, except logic as a process, itself, by definition.

Slab reefing the main (by adjusting three lines always at the ready)
is far better than roller reefing. When it gets loud enough, strike
the jib and your rig had better balance well with a main triple
reefed try sail alone. Beyond that, its drogue time, sea anchor,
survival suit, tootsie rolls, barfing and epirb, buddy.

Cruising, racing and surviving are all closely linked.

Simplicity, endurance and fatigue also figure together.

Satisfaction comes from changing what you can and respecting what
you can't.

I kinda like the ideas of a catamaran / swath hull, hinged A frame
masts, loose footed sails, perhaps fishermen on wandering tacks for
going about, possibly on club booms, grossly adjustable fore and
back stays, and another adjustable foot stay or wandering halyard /
stay ready for a hanked on try sail for high winds. A stay from
'midships to part way up the split backstay might mount a shelter
for rain or sun. Sounds interesting, anyway.

Terry K