I have a 40:40 with the camberspar- a great rugged cruising sail but one that requires retrieving and lashing down and sometimes in less than friendly conditions! And dare I mention Anno Domini!! So I would like to move to roller furling on the headsail but have been nervous of the flexing that conventional headsail tracks would get as the mast is unstayed and that they are not designed for. I see quite a few Freedoms with roller sails which I think are ok for careful coastal work but how about when caught out? I was thinking about a staysail furler-replacing the wire forestay with spectra and rolling the sail around it. Alternatively perhaps a sail can roll direct round the wire tho I doubt hanks would work so some other fix would be needed. Before I get carried away-and I am ok with the current rig for a year or two yet and it sure is efficient- what experience do others have?
There was a Freedom 35 at our club that had a roller furler installed (boat has since been sold). I would check with Haarstick Sails in Rochester, NY for details. http://www.haarsticksailmakers.com/
They have made sails for the Freedom for years. They had the same concerns that you have, but it can be done. I believe the added running backstays to alleviate the mast bend. I have a F35 as well and am still investigating if I want to try the furling route or not.
Let me know if you hear of anything additional.
mike
I have an F35 that I bought last winter. The boat has both a self-tacking 90% jib mounted on a Furlex roller furler, and a 135% genoa. This season I started out using the 90 because we have pretty consistent winds where I am - I figured I’d try it out. Before a two week cruise last month that had light winds forecast I put up the 135. I don’t think I will ever go back to the 90. The 135 helps the boat point well - much better than the (admittedly old) 90. If the wind comes up to the 15+ range I’ll pull a reef or two in the main and the boat carries it very well. Because the genny is on a roller furler I will also furl it in a bit to reduce sail. I’ve sailed with a slightly furled 135/double reefed main in winds to 25 kts. The boat handled it without any problems. I’ve kept an eye on the mast in higher winds and have not noticed and unusual flex.
The self-tacking 90 is easier to sail to be sure. But I also like the conventional tacking.
I’d love to hear if anybody has had any problems.
I have sailed a 40/40 for five years with a 90% furling jib, and no backstay. I have used this rig extensively in coastwise and offshore sailing (New England to Caribbean and return) with no real problems. Significant mast flexing sometimes makes it a bit more challenging to furl, but I’ve never had it stuck, under any sea/wind conditions (except when the top furling spool needed lube, or I had the spinnaker sheet wrapped up there).
I am looking at replacing the aging jib next year, and I’m contemplating switchinging to a 135% furling genoa. I would like to be able to point up a bit more, and also be able to rig a whisker pole for downwind work. I ran into someone this summer who had a F45 with a 135% genny, and he was pretty happy with it. He did not add a backstay or any additional rigging, as far as I know.
John
Wonder what brand or type of furlers you have been using? I’ve heard that the whip-loading caused by mast movement will damage (tear apart) furler extrusions. I recently heard someone talk about using a flexible furler with a reaching foresail. Appreciate any thoughts.
Bob
I have a Pedrick F35 - two years ago I installed a Leisure Furl boom and mainsail and a Harken Furler with a 90% triangle up front - also added an A sail with a sock. No issues with flex in big -25/30 knots - air…safe and easy with everything back to the cockpit…boat performance is as good/better than the cambar/spar up front and the original main with lazy j’s…