New Mainsail with existing furling Main

[barnakiel]

I am having some second thoughts.

Maybe if you secure the furled one round the mast it could work.

I say this as the new main now in the slot will need access to the horns, space for slides when reefed, etc. etc. Unfortunately so much of main gear for control concentrates at the tack - exactly where that odd piece of the furled main would stick out. Esp. true when reefed down.

What say you?

b.

[Beagle123]

Thanks everyone

[Hearts Content]

That's a lot of weight aloft for very little benefit. A Full batten main only matters for arou d the cans. There's a reason nearly every new cruising mono is equipped with a roller furling main. Extreme convenience and safety at the expense of some acceleration - who cares if you are cruising.

New materials really help on the shape.

[Beagle123]

OK thanks Barnakiel...I think it could work....of course there are no slides with a luff tape to attach the main to the mast....
..........and Hearts Content ...yes I will be cruising...but my return trip from Grenada to Chesapeake Bay in March/April 2018 .....will involve a lot of upwind sailing when the improved performance may cut significant time off the journey

[AiniA]

I really don't see the point in this. We sailed 36,000 miles with a furling main and is was not even new to start. If your current sail is not good, get a new furling main. You will be fine. If you want redundancy get a trysail. We had one of those too and never used it.

[Beagle123]

OK I am ....almost ...convinced! A Trysail would certainly work......Thanks everyone

[fabricator-ken]

We have an in mast furling main with full vertical battens. The shape is great and it furls beautifully. I have had normal slab reefing also. Love my furling main.

[Beagle123]

Thanks Ken... can you give me more information? what sized boat and who made the mast furling system and who made the sail?

[fabricator-ken]

The boat is 47ft
North full vertical batten main.
Furlway hydraulic in mast furler.
Reef any time in any direction in all wind conditions.

[Spindrift NH]

Originally Posted by Beagle123

OK thanks Barnakiel...I think it could work....of course there are no slides with a luff tape to attach the main to the mast....

Are you saying that you are going to use a full size mainsail with a luff tape and slide it up a stationary track on the mast? It would not be possible to reef that sail, you would need slugs to allow it to flake.

[Beagle123]

Thanks Fabricator Ken....I will consult with North Sails and with Selden Mast to see what they suggest for vertical battened ..loose footed ...furling main......

and Spindrift I am as per Fabricator Ken's suggestion going to consult with sail maker and mast manufacturer to get their advice ....the luff tape entry starts about 1 1/2 - 2 ft above the boom...so I think flaking of the main to reef it...... would still be possible ..

I appreciate everyone's suggestions..Thanks
Colin

[JPA Cate]

Colin, without slugs, how are you going to flake the main down to reef it? What will make the luff rope stay close to the mast?

Ann

[Clipper4730]

The slot in your furling mast is not designed for the loads you want to put on it. The load is supported by the foil inside the mast. The slot just guides it. We checked and selden said absolutely 100% no. Like someone else said just buy a new sail, get vertical battens if you want a flatter sail for upwind work. We just ordered a new complement of sails from National Sails, the distributor for Rolly Tasker. 130% genoa and furling main for about 6k. Bought a Assy Spinnaker from them last year for $2300 and have been very pleased. Never had one and now we use it all the time.

Good luck
Will

[Beagle123]

Clipper 4730 (Will) thank you .... I think the discussants have now totally convinced me that the slot is not for a larger main.....and I am going to proceed to consult with North and Selden about the vertical battens, sail area /roach etc etc to see what they say about upwind performance.
This is a great source for discussion..thanks everyone,
Colin (Beagle123)

[robert sailor]

I have the same system as yours. The track for the second sail is designed to be used for a storm sail, not a second mainsail.
Often the designer specs a furling main to be a taller rig to make up for the loss of sail area. Obviously a furling main gives up power in lighter winds but has other advantages for a cruising boat, you just have to decide whether they work for you.