Even the best genoa-furling systems cannot compare, when the sail is
partially-furled, to a hank-on genoa of the correct size and shape. They are
a useful compromise when short-handed, but that is all.

I am a hank-on partisan, because that is what I have, I know how to
use it, how to fix it and how to change sails quickly and safely. I
also like the performance boost, as seen in how I can race and beat
larger boats with lower PHRFs if they have furling unless it's a
downwind run, say. Part of this is pointing ability, the rest is that
I can carry a properly cut No. 1 instead of the typical vaguely yankee
cut of most compromising furling genoas.

But I am 44 and am "fast cruising" in Lake Ontario on an IOR
performance cruiser that likes the wind. Also, I get free sails from
racers I can cut to fit for cruising purposes for a hundred bucks or
so to convert tape luff to hanks. This, needless to say, means my
biggest inconvenience is storing slightly worn but perfectly fine
sails in the joists of my garage until I need to cycle them in my
boat. With new genoas and working jibs at over $2,000, I can bear a
little stretch or a couple of patches whereas the racing guys buy new
Kevlar/Mylar suits of sails every three or four years for $10K.

Thank you, crazy racers...G

I would argue that cruisers, older sailors or those unhappy with the
idea of heavy weather deck work tip the balance in favour of furling.
It's not foolproof or bulletproof, however, and I've seen problems
both expensive and dangerous due to improper use or mechanical
failure. Just last week in a blow I called a fellow yachtie to tell
him his genoa was shredding and to ask permission to secure it. Well,
I got aboard and his furling line was completely out...I could do
nothing until more bodies were aboard to do a controlled unfurling of
the remains and then a proper furling.

So it depends on your intended use, fitness level, age and skill, but
while less can go wrong with hank-ons, people who furl are rarely
washed off the foredeck carrying a 100 lb. foresail. My wife the
foredecker would appreciate less folding down and more room below as
well, but our four-year-old can make a fort from the sail bags and nap
very safely in the middle of them in the roughest seas.

One last comment: I would urge anyone with a cutter rig to keep the
staysail hank on, because in a bad blow that can destroy the furled
foresail, the staysail will usually hang in there as it can be reefed
down or swapped for a storm jib safely closer to the mast.

R.