Furling Mainsail Versus Standard

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Furling Mainsail Versus Standard: Which Is Better?

Technology and new innovations impact all areas of our lives. Certainly, this includes the world of sailing. Materials for the mainsail and the means to furl and unfurl the mainsail continue to evolve. Advances in sailing equipment can enhance one’s sailing experience.

Furling mainsail systems offer today’s sailors more options than the standard or traditional furling choices. Benefits of furling mainsails include additional convenience, use as an operational tool, and expanded safety when used correctly.

At the end of a day out on the water, trying to harness the mainsail can be a difficult task. Traditional or conventional methods require lowering the sail, flaking the sail, and covering the sail. Flaking or folding must follow a set pattern, so the mainsail can be safely unfurled.

Continue reading for information on mainsails and furling mainsail systems that will lessen the challenge.

The convenience of Furling Systems

Earning its name as the mainsail, it is the largest sail on the ship. The mainsail harnesses power from the wind to propel the sailboat. Furling means to store a boat’s sail by folding it following an accordion pattern, then packing the mainsail. Proper storing of the mainsail is essential for it to work well.

Without a furling system, when the mainsail is lowered, the sail plummets to the deck of the boat. With the blowing wind and the waves ramming the sailboat, it is a challenging task. Those onboard must correctly gather up the mainsail, flake the sail, and lash it down. Each of these steps must be completed after a day on the water and in the sun when many are exhausted.

While sailing purists and racers may choose a traditional mainsail system, the convenience that either in-boom or in-mast furling systems offer is hard to ignore. Furling systems provide greater ease in controlling the furling of the mainsail. This expediency permits a sailor the ability to ease into the harbor. You do not need as much planning time and operating space to lower your sails.

A professionally installed furling system, on which an operator has received training, can be controlled from the cockpit of the boat. With an easy-to-stow mainsail, you can maneuver the sail on your own or with people of mixed experience in sailing. The sail will fold into itself section by section. This also means when you sail again, the mainsail will unfurl section by section.

Once in the harbor, you are ready to enjoy a relaxing end of your sailing day.

Operational Tools Created by Furling Systems

As the most important sail on your boat, the mainsail is used every time you take your sailboat out on the open water. You need to be able to handle the mainsail easily. With a furling mainsail system, you have the ability to reef your mainsail from the cockpit. The capability to reduce your mainsail to address changes in the wind gives you more options in sailing.

Since the mainsail can be tricky to maneuver without a furling system, some sailors do not hoist the mainsail for a quick trip. Though furling is not the same as reefing, you can utilize your mainsail furling system to reef your sails. Using your furling system to reef your mainsail allows you to quickly adjust to changing wind conditions.

Furling systems can be used while sailing as well as at the end of the sailing journey. Your ability to readily control and manipulate your mainsail throughout your sail will allow you to sail in various wind conditions.

Safety Enhancements Due to Furling Systems

Gathering up, flaking, and lashing down a big mainsail that is sprawled all over a cabin top, is a substantial, wearisome task and often a daily one. The difficulty for you and your crew to hoist heavy sails and climb over sails spread out on the boat can cause safety issues. Handling the weight of the sails is eliminated with the furling systems.

You need to consider your safety and that of your crew when looking at the steps to operate your mainsail. If you are sailing alone, the difficulty of maneuvering the mainsail on your own is eliminated with either an in-mast or in-boom furling system.

Depending upon the sailing ability of your passengers, needing them to assist you in furling the mainsail might be more than they can physically perform. If your mainsail is not rolled up tightly and correctly, you can have issues when you unfurl the sails. A furling system will ensure a tightly rolled mainsail permits easy unfurling without jams.

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Mainsail Materials and Furling Systems

Furling systems can add to the longevity of your sails. When not in use, your sails should be covered for protection. Using your furling system, your sails are safely stowed away from the sun’s rays. You do not need to bag your sails or store them below deck or someplace off the boat.

Additionally, your sails are furled consistently and precisely. Sails are not getting torn, creased, or stretched out in the furling process or while stored. This reduces the wear and tear on the fabric of the sails themselves, which should increase the life of your sails.

The fabric used for sailcloth needs to be robust to adapt to the wind. The material endures sun, wind, furling, and unfurling. With use, sails become stretched out and sailcloth becomes worn and damaged. These situations create a larger sail than what you started with. Old sails with stretched-out cloth are more difficult to furl or roll up smoothly.

Furling systems will struggle rolling up sails that have been damaged and expanded. In the storage area of the furling system, there is limited or finite space to stow the mainsail. While this might sound like a negative point for furling systems, it actually serves as a great check on the condition of your sails.

It is expected that sails’ shapes will alter with use and time. Fabrics will stretch due to exposure to the winds. Damaged sails can cause issues for you as you are sailing. Your boat becomes more difficult to control and might be more apt to tip to one side or the other. Using your sails to change your angle and speed will not be as effective with damaged sails.

Currently produced sailcloth offers many options. Dacron is DuPont’s brand name that is frequently used material for sails. It is a woven polyester known for its strength, durability, and cost. With less stretch in the material, the sail will maintain its shape under sail. These materials are UV and mold-resistant.

Sails made from materials such as Dacron will ensure a reliable roll-up and unroll. This will augment your benefits from employing a furling system on your sailboat.