rhys wrote:
On 23 Oct 2005 09:10:59 -0700, "~^ beancounter ~^"
wrote:


yea...some great points there rhys...thanx....
as i have thought in the past, roller reefing is
good for the "casual" sailor or racer...but for
hard core or serious sailor / racer, hanks
are just fine, thank you.....


This is not to knock roller reefing at all. Let me put it this way: As
the owner of a racer-cruiser who doesn't "race" it except to cruise
efficiently (and who cruises "light" in crew and cargo regardless),
you couldn't pay me to install roller reefing.

But if the next boat has a reputable and properly sized reefing drum
and track installed, you couldn't pay me to take it off!

(The next boat is likely to be larger, heavier and completely
cruise-oriented, needless to say).

Hope this debate helps. As a side comment, I certainly wouldn't
install roller reefing on any boat sub-30 feet if I had decent hank-on
sails available to me, or unless I sailed alone constantly and was
older or physically unfit. The performance hit on smaller boats seems
bigger to judge by how the "cruisers who race" do.

R.
There are actually 4 choices. A typical furler, a code zero type furler
(on a kevlar luff and foldable, hanks and a foil. Most racers use foils
that can be converted to furlers with the addition of the drum for
cruising. Cruiser should think twice about foils and furlers. A furler
when furled is serious windage and when you drop a sail on a foil the
entire thing except tack head and clew can go over the side. The
advantages of hanks are a matter of record despite the fact that they
are more work.

On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:12:23 GMT, (Mic) wrote:

Furling or HankOn sails?
Which do you prefer and why?

"Todays headsail-reefing/furling systems are extremely reliable.
Failure is rare and is usually the result of improper installation or
incorrect use. "

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityou...llerreefer.htm

Somewhat basic but some good tips and info, worth a look.

Excellent drawing diagrams.

Enjoy Mic.

For ease of handling and cause we don't race we chose a furling genoa.
The only thing is, what to do when you need to set a storm jib.
A real bit of wind will probably tear a furled genoa apart.
ATN claims they have a solution: the ATN Galesail.
Haven't had any experience with it but I think I'd rather use a simple
and strong hank-on storm jib than installing this sleeve over the
furled genoa first.
So, I'm glad we have an inner forestay. I have thought about a second
furler on the inner forestay but I decided not to for this reason.

Len
S/v Present

Len wrote:
On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:12:23 GMT, (Mic) wrote:

Furling or HankOn sails?
Which do you prefer and why?

"Todays headsail-reefing/furling systems are extremely reliable.
Failure is rare and is usually the result of improper installation or
incorrect use. "

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityou...llerreefer.htm

Somewhat basic but some good tips and info, worth a look.

Excellent drawing diagrams.

Enjoy Mic.

For ease of handling and cause we don't race we chose a furling genoa.
The only thing is, what to do when you need to set a storm jib.
A real bit of wind will probably tear a furled genoa apart.
ATN claims they have a solution: the ATN Galesail.
Haven't had any experience with it but I think I'd rather use a simple
and strong hank-on storm jib than installing this sleeve over the
furled genoa first.
So, I'm glad we have an inner forestay. I have thought about a second
furler on the inner forestay but I decided not to for this reason.

Len
S/v Present

Wise man!

Dennis.