Boom Furling for the main

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mfail
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Joined: 2/22/14
Posts: 5
Boom Furling for the main

Greetings all.

My '94 C36 mk1-1/2 has reached the 20yo milestone, and I will be pulling the mast for inspection.  After chartering for years, I am familiar with in-mast such as z-spar from the newer boats.  I have researched replacing the mast with a hollow spar for in-mast furling.  I had chest pains after the price showed up.

The yard guy wants to pitch either schaefer or profurl instead.  Does anyone have experience with or recommend this particular approach.

Thanks!

MFail
Bolero
1994 C36, #1333
 

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HowLin
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Joined: 1/12/12
Posts: 355

I've been considering going to a furling main, but have not decided to make the plunge yet...  meanwhile
a good article is here:  ​http://theriggingco.com/2014/01/20/which-boom-furler-is-the-best/  
 

---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----

--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----

--- 1999  C36 MkII  #1776 M35BC ---

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mccartyj
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Joined: 7/20/11
Posts: 21

I have a Leisure Furl in boom furler and I can tell you it has been a game changer for me. I will never go back. That and a Winch Buddy make hoisting almost effortless and reefing is now a non-issue.
Boom furling (vs inmast) is the way to go imho. Less weight aloft, fully battened main with great sail shape, even when reefed.
Do it, you'll love it.

 

 

Iti Motu
2006 MK ll
M35 BC,
Standard Rig w/LeisureFurl Boom
Flex-o-fold 3 blade 15/9
Rocna 15
Sail #2263

FlyMeAway
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Joined: 3/20/12
Posts: 241

Do you recall how much the Leisure Furl setup cost? I'm also considering something like this...

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

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SailorJackson
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Joined: 2/9/11
Posts: 152

[quote=FlyMeAway]Do you recall how much the Leisure Furl setup cost? I'm also considering something like this...[/quote]

$25,000 was what I found.  I was shopping for my Catalina 36 in 2011 and at that time there were none available with the OEM mainsail furling in the Great Lakes.  I got a quotation for a complete system, boom and new sail and professional installation.  Rather than deal with that sort of upgrade to a local boat I purchased my boat on the east coast.  It was cheaper to haul an east coast boat into the midwest than it was to convert a local boat.

Some people seem to like the roller furling boom, but nearly all the OEM boats in USA and Europe opt for roller furling in the mast, not in the boom.  I'd also point out that lots of the roller furling boom sailboats are fitted with electric halyard winch, although I'll admit that most people that go that route have larger boats and often fractional rig.  A large fraction rig boat can have a very heavy mainsail.

 

Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,

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mccartyj
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Joined: 7/20/11
Posts: 21

[quote=FlyMeAway]Do you recall how much the Leisure Furl setup cost? I'm also considering something like this...[/quote]

My boat was set up this way from new. I don't know what the cost of the upgrade was at the time. Many thanks to the original owner though!

Iti Motu
2006 MK ll
M35 BC,
Standard Rig w/LeisureFurl Boom
Flex-o-fold 3 blade 15/9
Rocna 15
Sail #2263

mfail
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Joined: 2/22/14
Posts: 5

The only real quote I have is for a schaefer.  Components looks to be ~$13,300 and add ~$4200 for installation by a yard.  I have not made the commitment due to this being over my current budget.

These costs due not include modifying or replacing the main sail.  A sail kit from sailrite is in the $1600-1800 range should you do this yourself.

MFail
Bolero
1994 C36, #1333
 

vasile@sbcglobal.net
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Joined: 10/2/20
Posts: 21

Guys, not sure how recent these comments are.  Anyone have a newer cost for in boom furling systems?  I like the Shaffer system but can't find a price. 

Thanks !

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Siler Starum
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 113

I had a similar consideration to swap to an in-furling mast for an easier handling, however the offered price were far too much. 
As alternative we added to the mast the Harken Battcar-system.
This fits perfect in the existing groove and it is amazing how good and easy this is working. Only for fine-tuning with trimming I am using the winch.
Even when lowering the flaking with the Dutchman system is working perfect again, not disturbed with stalling of the guides in the mast. 
 

Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland

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