I’m considering buying a LeisureFurl system for our Brewer 44. Any advice?

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Gino Del Guercio - 6/19/2019

I’m considering buying a LeisureFurl system for our Brewer 44. Any advice?

Hi Gino,
I am generally not a fan of boom or mast furling gear for offshore boats. They generally take a great deal of discipline and attention on the part of their crew in offshore use and the in-attentive moment can lead to serious problems quickly: the kind not easily remedied at sea. It is hard to be disciplined and attentive in the occasional fire drill that arises every now and again at sea.
My casual observation is that the high-end custom boats generally choose in boom furling as opposed to in mast furling. This makes sense as there are clearly a handful of down sides to in-mast furling when compared to in-boom furling. It is also my sense that in-boom furling is more forgiving and less likely to leave you unable to douse your sail. That said, years ago there were sailmaker issues with the Leisure Furl system and chafe issues which have likely been worked out by now.
Let us know more about your research.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

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Gino Del Guercio - 6/19/2019

I’m considering buying a LeisureFurl system for our Brewer 44. Any advice?

Hi, good afternoon: I have just installed mine( leisure furling); my boat is an Oceanis 40. I have not tested yet due to a propeller gearbox failure, that I am stiill waiting to be fixed. But, I hope, in no more than fifteen days, to have it fixed and check my new system. If You give me your email address, I shall send You pictures of the leisure furl boom installed.

Cheers, Agustín, OCC POR Gran Canaria.

Thanks. Ginodelg(at)mac.com

Dick
In-mast furling works for us. We expended a lot of nervous energy before committing to it 13 years ago but have few regrets. We have encountered no serious disadvantages and have really appreciated the ease of use and convenience. Just one minor episode of user error in week on which was easily remedied.

I know that the above statement approaches heresy but our experience has been favourable.

Simon

Thanks Simon. What is your boat and where have you taken it?

Gino
Our boat is a 14.5m cutter. In this boat we have cruised in Norway, the Baltic, Scotland, Greenland (72N) and the Canadian Maritimes (where we are at present). Heading south and west now.
Simon

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Gino Del Guercio - 6/24/2019

Thanks Simon. What is your boat and where have you taken it?

Thanks Simon. Sounds very similar to our boat. We’ll be in Rhode Island most of the summer. Look us up if you’re in the area.

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Simon Currin - 6/24/2019

DickIn-mast furling works for us. We expended a lot of nervous energy before committing to it 13 years ago but have few regrets. We have encountered no serious disadvantages and have really appreciated the ease of use and convenience. Just one minor episode of user error in week on which was easily remedied.I know that the above statement approaches heresy but our experience has been favourable. Simon

Hi Simon,
Right and it works for many. But my observation is that in-mast is comparatively unforgiving of in-attentiveness and a lack of discipline in its use, especially when it comes to responding to the occasional fire drill. And the down side of this inattentiveness can be very serious for an offshore boat: quite a bit less so for coastal cruising. I suspect you and Sally are among those who are attentive and disciplined in its use and train crew to be like-wise. There is no question that in-mast furling can be made to work, as you have amply demonstrated.
My best, Dick

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Gino Del Guercio - 6/19/2019

I’m considering buying a LeisureFurl system for our Brewer 44. Any advice?