Rich,

What we got was a Forespar. It is an extrusion that attaches to the mast
with rivets and a job not too difficult for the able owner. I just looked at
the new Forespar catalog and cannot find it listed now. I do not know if
they offer it anymore. 'Tiz a shame.

We investigated the in-boom system, planning going that route; its
advantages are obvious-until you try to raise or lower the sail. On boats
about 40 feet and over, it requires a power winch or real healthy
20-year-olds, or at least it did when we checked. It may also require going
forward to the mast at times-I can't remember all the steps now but I
remember changing sail area is very slow. I do favor the theory of in-boom
reefing but the difficulties I observed are too much to overcome. But this
was several years ago and may have been addressed. If so, I think I would
re-consider.

The job of modifying the existing mast was not too difficult. On the first
job, in Hong Kong, we did it with the mast standing. However, for our 40, I
had the mast down. The first thing I did was to remove ALL hardware
including winch bases then had a welder weld all the holes-boom included. We
sanded (paint prep) the mast and attached the Forespar extrusions. This was
followed by a PLU paint job over all. It is difficult to observe that there
is an added extrusion to the mast. To finish, I added only two winch
bases/winches and several stoppers along with some cleats-painted to match
the mast. Since both foresails are roller-furled and set semi-permanent, as
is the main, little winching is required-maybe once a season for all three
of the primary sails, if removed. These halyards are just stopped off and
maybe tensioned occasionally as needed. Winches then are free for any number
of desired halyards.

The only downside I can envision is the weight aloft in a reefed condition
with the main always raised. On boats over 40 feet, I have not noted that
this is a problem. I cannot speak for smaller craft. The lack of a roach,
too is not a detriment, since as much as sail as needed can be cranked out.
The only time the lack of roach affects boat's performance is in very light
winds when the area of the roach is helpful. In our case, cruising, there is
a time when the Yanmar sail takes over. That extra quarter or half-knot
means little on a thousand-mile ocean crossing for the day or two you may
need it. It is an expensive five miles. Unless you are racing in competition
around the bay-racing in a Baba-40?

When we began to select the mainsail plan, our first choice was full-batten,
then investigation led us to the in-boom furler, and we finally settled on
the in-mast. I have been most pleased and even surprised at advantages I did
not expect. For us, this is a happy compromise. Carolyn, in her late 60s
handled our 52-footer in all conditions in a North Pacific crossing, without
assist from me (on her watches), and without endangering herself by having
to leave the cockpit during sail changes. This had the added benefit of
allowing the off-watch crewmember more restful time. We had a rule: during
all sail changes, both had to be on deck. About the only thing this provides
is an unwilling witness to a tragedy that both are helpless to overcome at
sea. Now, all sail changes are done from the safety of the cockpit-moreover,
reefing of the main can be done standing on the companionway ladder! One
slip in this event, and one finds themselves on the galley deck!

I will go to the boat today and take some photos if anyone is interested.
Heck, I'm going to the boat anyway!

Have a great time at the Annapolis Boat Show! Wish I were there again.

Tom
Moonshadow

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Received on Thu Oct 5 08:40:57 2006