"Wayne.B" wrote

Most of the racing boats I've been on recently will pull about half of
the mainsail over the boom and then start to roll from the the middle
where it is hanging down. It takes at least two people, preferably
more.


This is true, but those racing boats have bolt ropes that come out of the
mast groove. You describe a good method for that type of arrangement. We
used to lay our genoas over the boom and roll them the same way. This type
of sail is stored in a long tube bag.

But for those with slides, it is not as easy to flake the sail neatly.

Our boat has full battens and heavy sailcloth that is hard to get a grip of.
I try and lay the battens along the boom and bundle up the loose cloth as
best I can - Put on the ties and cover the mess with a loose fitting
sailcover!

Without full battens, it is a bit easier. You can roll the sail into the
foot shelf or flake it back and forth as it comes down. Two pairs of hands
helps.

GBM