Finally, inside-the-boom roller furling and reefing, long a promise without a fulfillment, may be ready to join jib furling gear as a standard part of the cruiser's sail hardware inventory. After years of unsuccessful experimentation, a few spar makers seem to have found the formula that allows these systems to work reliably. 

There are several advantages to these systems when they work properly: Infinitely variable reefing from the cockpit, the end of struggling to flake and secure the lowered mainsail, and no more mainsail cover.  Unfortunately, the early versions of in-boom furling just didn't work. They would jam up, both furling and unfurling, with great regularity. The resulting mess was frustrating to their owners and occasionally even dangerous. As a result, in-boom furling never caught on the way jib furling - now almost universal on cruising boats - has. Those that did work successfully usually did so with a flat, unadjustable imitation of a sail. 

We have worked on several installations of a New Zealand product called Leisure Furl. In every case this product has worked easily and reliably. Since installation these owners have sailed thousands of miles and couldn't be more pleased with their mainsails. We have had reports that some other in-boom furling systems are just a successful.  If you've been looking for a better way to deal with your mainsail, this just may be it.

Maine Sailing Partners
www.mesailing.com
1-888-788-SAIL