"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2007041901532916807-jerelull@maccom...
On 2007-04-18 10:13:43 -0400, said:

I do not much about in mast main sail fuller.
The comments I have heard were that many sailors like the convenient of a
main fuller but do not want to sacrifice the power of a main sail. I am
close in buying a new sailboat and I have to make a choice between
standard main or in mast main sail fuller.
The alternative I have is to get a main sail flaking system with a Strong
Track installed coupled with a 4'-9" fin keel and 29'-3 LWL. Otherwise,
the boat equipped with the main fuller has a 6'-00" fin keel with 31'
LWL.
On a 350 NM crossing having a regular main sail may make a difference?

You're comparing different boats, so I can't comment on the choice. If
they *are* the same hull, I'd get the flaking system as it's a lighter
boat, more easily driven, and as another said, that extra foot of draft
can be a real PITA in some locales.

My primary problem with any furling sail is that they don't keep a good
shape when partially furled for heavier winds. I can sorta get by with a
smaller main though it's easier to shorten sail for strong wind than
expand the sail for normal winds, but if I'm reefing, I want that main
FLAT.

The speed difference may not be that significant, but the comfort
difference may be huge.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's new pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI pages: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

It is a hard call, when I got my first new boat I declined to have a jib
roller fulling. Now everyone are using them.
The depth of the keel is a concern. As people have already said it 6 feet
could a struggle in some areas.
My present boat has a 4'-6" draft and I managed to get aground about twice
every season. The boats that are pointing better than mine all have 5' to
6' plus draft.