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Staysail - boom to roller furler

  • May 27, 2012 8:21 AM
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    Message # 931777
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Pygmalion W32: 

    Being tired of the staysail boom on the fordeck - I've been watching for a usable roller furler on the yard at Svensens boat works.  I've spotted a North Sail model yesterday - so now the question is has anyone gone from a staysail on a boom to a roller furler and liked the result?  I'm thinking to convert the existing 5year old sail to work in the foil's track and remove the boom -- I like that idea of not going forward to raise the staysail. 

    I currently have the 300 SF Yankee from Kern on a roller furler and like the result.

     
  • May 27, 2012 6:40 PM
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    Reply # 932125 on 931777
    Anonymous
    I have a loose-footed staysail and am toying with roller furling.  I put roller furling on the headsail when I bought a new one a few years ago, and it sure makes life easy for this old guy!

    I wonder about a roller furling setup on the staysail with a boom.  I'd attach the clew to the boom when unfurling, and then sail it as a self-tacking sail, but I'd be able to furl the sail and then raise the boom so it's out of the way.  Sound like FUBAR engineering, but I think it would work.
  • May 27, 2012 6:45 PM
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    Reply # 932142 on 931777
    Anonymous
    Jay, you may want to talk to Kern before you do that...the sail may not work properly without the boom if it was built for the boom..

    Terry, there is a boat here with the setup you are describing. I'll try to get you a picture.. its not a westsail, but the principle is the same of course.
  • May 28, 2012 6:12 AM
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    Reply # 932891 on 931777
    Deleted user
    Jay,

    We did exactly what you're asking about on Siempre Sabado and have had no complaints.  Sure don't miss that boom, except, maybe when tacking.

    -Steve
  • May 28, 2012 9:34 AM
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    Reply # 932993 on 931777
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Thanks for the info... I'm thinking no boom in the end -

    tacking - wonder if a single sheet using the existing track and a slider would make it self tacking.   (Image below of the track a few years ago. )

    Sail shape - that is an issue and it's not a Kern sail - so to convert the sail I'd need to add sun guard and have " ?? " added to the luff to slide into the track and possibly recut to make the sail flat. 

    We'll see that the owner says.

    Jay

     
  • May 28, 2012 3:07 PM
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    Reply # 933211 on 931777
    Deleted user
    Jay: I think Elizabeth has a point that the boom pushes the clew back tward the mast at 2'+ above the deck and the track is on the deck = a different sheet angle. I two (to) am looking to use the staysail as a furled sail without the boom but my (staysail) is old and beaten, so I would have a new sail designed (not cut for the boom but cut for a low clew that would lead to the deck track) But remember the deck track is not in an arc, so some provisions for the change in sheet length is required +/-. I think others have ran the line up the mast to somewhat adjust for the tighter sheeting the further out the sail travels???? In any case hope you had a great memorial day weekend. Norm
  • May 28, 2012 6:54 PM
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    Reply # 933504 on 931777
    Deleted user
    Jay, we went to a Profurl @ 15 yrs ago, got rid of the boom and recently gave it to Duke on Amable'. Things are much better with the fore deck clear.  It's been a blessing when cruising.  It's great to go from one head sail to another or both easily without having to go on deck especially in the middle of the night. We used our original staysail having it re-cut by Kern. He added a sacrificial sun guard and changed the luff.   Kern also said that a loose footed sail is more efficient as it can be better trimmed. Our sheets run to tracks on the coach roof then to winches under the dodger.

    Jim









       




  • May 30, 2012 6:20 AM
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    Reply # 936590 on 931777
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Thanks for the info Norm and Jim:  I'm thinking to first test w/o the boom and the existing staysail -- only 5 years old and in good shape. 

    Jim: Seems that if you raise the clew of the sail - you would lose quite a bit of sail area - so how much did Kern raise the clew on the existing staysail so it also rolled up nicely?  

    As for the weekend -- I missed seeing USS Iowa being towed to San Padro (sp) and also USS Nimitz coming into the Bay for the GGB 75th celebration -- so that sailing wise it was a bust. 

    Jay
    Last modified: May 30, 2012 6:23 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • May 30, 2012 4:49 PM
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    Reply # 937131 on 931777
    Deleted user
    Jay, I'm not sure exactly what Kern did as it was a long time ago and I have trouble remembering yesterday; but I don't think he raised the clew much if at all.  After we get the staysail back on we are going to consider a new sail.

    Jim