Difference between revisions of "What are the benefits of modern furlers"

From Westerly-Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(What are the benefits of modern furlers - extract from Harken article)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
==Good visibility==
 
==Good visibility==
Genoas are generally cut close to the deck which obscures visibility ahead and to leeward. As many of us sail within a few miles of a harbour, visibility is important for safety and peace of mind. Instead of increasing visibility by cutting your clew high, and permanently reducing your sail area, you can simply reef the genoa when near a harbour, whilst sailing at night or approaching an area with navigational hazards.
+
Genoas are generally cut close to the deck which obscures visibility ahead and to leeward. As many of us sail within a few miles of a harbour, visibility is important for safety and peace of mind. Instead of increasing visibility by cutting your clew high, and permanently reducing your sail area, you can simply reef the genoa when near a harbour, whilst sailing at night or approaching an area with navigational hazards.
  
 
==Speed control==
 
==Speed control==
Being able to reef the genoa enables you too quickly and easily depower the sail to meet variable shifts in weather.
+
Being able to reef the genoa enables you too quickly and easily depower the sail to meet variable shifts in weather.
  
 
==Full-power headsails==
 
==Full-power headsails==
If you don't have the ability to reef, you may be tempted to choose a smaller headsail as the primary genoa. With the ability to furl, you're able to maximise the size of your genoa and simply reef to the prevailing conditions.
+
If you don't have the ability to reef, you may be tempted to choose a smaller headsail as the primary genoa. With the ability to furl, you're able to maximise the size of your genoa and simply reef to the prevailing conditions.
  
 
==Sail more and motor less==
 
==Sail more and motor less==
Furling systems can make it easier to take advantage of light wind conditions. On yachts where you need to run the genoa up every time you make a headsail change, it can become tiresome for the crew during a cruise. Furling systems enable the helm to set the sail with minimal crew input, making lighter work of sail planning and adjustments.
+
Furling systems can make it easier to take advantage of light wind conditions. On yachts where you need to run the genoa up every time you make a headsail change, it can become tiresome for the crew during a cruise. Furling systems enable the helm to set the sail with minimal crew input, making lighter work of sail planning and adjustments.
  
 
==Less crew needed==
 
==Less crew needed==
Furlers allow you to reef or stow the genoa from the safety of the cockpit, removing the need to drag sails onto the foredeck. This makes it easier to sail shorthanded or use your normal crew to sail a larger boat.
+
Furlers allow you to reef or stow the genoa from the safety of the cockpit, removing the need to drag sails onto the foredeck. This makes it easier to sail shorthanded or use your normal crew to sail a larger boat.

Revision as of 14:00, 21 January 2016

Good visibility

Genoas are generally cut close to the deck which obscures visibility ahead and to leeward. As many of us sail within a few miles of a harbour, visibility is important for safety and peace of mind. Instead of increasing visibility by cutting your clew high, and permanently reducing your sail area, you can simply reef the genoa when near a harbour, whilst sailing at night or approaching an area with navigational hazards.

Speed control

Being able to reef the genoa enables you too quickly and easily depower the sail to meet variable shifts in weather.

Full-power headsails

If you don't have the ability to reef, you may be tempted to choose a smaller headsail as the primary genoa. With the ability to furl, you're able to maximise the size of your genoa and simply reef to the prevailing conditions.

Sail more and motor less

Furling systems can make it easier to take advantage of light wind conditions. On yachts where you need to run the genoa up every time you make a headsail change, it can become tiresome for the crew during a cruise. Furling systems enable the helm to set the sail with minimal crew input, making lighter work of sail planning and adjustments.

Less crew needed

Furlers allow you to reef or stow the genoa from the safety of the cockpit, removing the need to drag sails onto the foredeck. This makes it easier to sail shorthanded or use your normal crew to sail a larger boat.