Independent guide: Follow the furler maker's instructions for installation, operation and servicing.
Quick answer
A furling system rolls a sail around a rotating foil, rod or boom so it can be set, reefed or stowed without going on deck. Almost every Australian cruising yacht has a headsail furler on the forestay. Mainsails may be in-mast furling, in-boom furling or conventional slab-reefed. Top-down and structural furlers handle code zeros and gennakers. All of them need correct technique and periodic servicing, and headsail furlers hide the forestay, which makes inspection harder.
Types of furling
| System | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headsail furler | Drum and foil around the forestay | Easy headsail handling and reefing | Hides the forestay; reefed shape is compromised |
| In-mast furling | Mainsail rolls vertically inside the mast | Reef from the cockpit | Less sail area; jams with poor technique — see in-mast furling |
| In-boom furling | Mainsail rolls horizontally inside the boom | Full battens, better shape | Needs correct boom angle — see in-boom furling |
| Structural (code zero) furler | Furls around an anti-torsion cable | Light-air reaching sail on demand | Separate halyard and tack loads |
| Top-down furler | Furls from the head down on a torsion cable | Handles gennakers and asymmetrics | More kit to rig and stow |
Headsail furlers
The drum sits at the stemhead, the foil runs up the forestay and the swivel carries the halyard at the top. Common problems are halyard wrap, worn bearings, a chafed furling line and poor line leads. See headsail furlers, furler service and furler installation.
Furling and the forestay
Because the foil covers the forestay, its condition — particularly the terminals — cannot be seen in a normal inspection. Treat an undocumented forestay inside a furler as old, and replace it with the rest of the rig. See the forestay guide.
Good furling technique
- ease the sheet before furling and keep light tension as the sail rolls
- keep a few turns of line on the drum when the sail is fully out
- furl the mainsail with the boat close to the wind and outhaul tension on
- never force a furling line with a winch
Furling by boat type
- Cruising yachts and liveaboards: headsail and often in-mast furling
- Catamarans: large headsail furlers and code zero furlers on a sprit or beam
- Charter yachts: heavy use and frequent servicing
- Brand notes: Jeanneau and Beneteau cruisers commonly have in-mast furling
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, in-mast or in-boom furling?
In-boom furling allows a mainsail with full battens and roach, so it usually performs better, but it needs a precise boom angle when furling. In-mast furling is simpler to operate from the cockpit and more forgiving of technique, at the cost of sail shape and area. Slab reefing with lazy-jacks remains the simplest and most robust option.
Does a headsail furler weaken the forestay?
The furler itself does not weaken the forestay, but it hides it, which makes inspection harder. Halyard wrap can damage the stay, and a poorly aligned drum can bend the lower terminal. That is why forestays inside furlers are usually replaced with the rest of the rig and inspected when the furler is serviced.
Common questions
- How do I check a forestay hidden inside a furler?
Most of a furling forestay is enclosed in the foil and cannot be inspected in place. Check the exposed upper and lower terminals, the swivel and drum, and the foil joints for movement. A genuine forestay inspection means removing the furler or unstepping the mast, which is why forestay condition is so often missed.
- How do I prepare a rig for cyclone season?
Prepare a rig for cyclone season by removing windage: take off headsails, remove or fully secure furling sails, remove the boom and running rigging where practical, and lash halyards away from the mast. Follow the marina or cyclone-mooring plan, and act on the published lead time rather than waiting for the forecast to confirm.