UK Sailmakers Newletter -- October 29, 1999

THE FURLBOOM --  FINALLY A FULL SIZED MAINSAIL WITHOUT THE HASSLE

     Finally there is a no-compromise solution for cruising sailors looking to retrofit their boat with a roller furling mainsail. The Furlboom allows you to use a full-batten, large roach mainsail without having to leave the safety and comfort of your cockpit without having to switch to a battenless, roachless sail.
     The Furlboom gives sailors the ability to have full-sized mainsail that can be furled and covered with the push of a button from the cockpit. It makes cruising safer and easier. Once you roll the sail into the boom, a built in cover comes out to close the opening in the top. The whole process is effortless. There is no more standing on tip toes or climbing folding steps on the mast.
     Designed in Australia and assembled in the United States, the Furlboom is perfect for large boats where handling the mainsail and covering it is impossible without a huge crew. It also works well on boats where the boom is inaccessible because it's too high or because a dodger and bimini cover are in the way. The Furlboom solves two problems in one - now that's simplicity.
     Installing a Furlboom is just as easy as using it. There is no need to replace your mast with a larger diameter section. Your current mast will continue to do the job for you. Unlike some in boom furlers, the Furlboom does not require a large hole to be drilled in the mast. The system is mounted on the aft side of the mast, unlike other in-boom furling systems.

     The following is a testimonial from a satisfied customer who switched from a roller furling mast to a standard mast with a Furlboom for his custom S&S 48:
     "Let me start out by saying that the boat's change in performance has been dramatic. The new sail has a lot more horsepower. The old main was flat and had no shape so that it would roll up easily. But now, the boat is a whole different animal.
     "Even with a bigger main, the boat is stiffer thanks to the new smaller diameter, lighter mast. The motion of the boat is much smoother even when motoring since the mast is lighter and the weight of the mainsail is now down in the boom instead inside the mast.
     "Besides wanting better boat speed, I changed systems for safety reasons. In the past when the sail jammed while furling we had to send someone aloft to un-jam the sail. If for some reason the rolling mechanism ever jams, we will still be able to drop the sail and lash it to the boom.
     "Raising and lowering the sail is a dream. With our electric winch the sail goes up and down so smoothly. Even though we raise and lower the sail when head to wind, the sail is quiet thanks to the six full length battens that prevent the sail from snapping back and forth."
          

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