rollerfurling

Roller furling, also known as roller-furling, is a sail handling system used on sailing yachts to furl or unfurl a headsail by winding it around a forestay. It enables sailors to reduce sail area quickly for heavy weather, or to remove the sail from the forestay for storage, often allowing single-handed operation.

Most roller furlers consist of a fixed forestay with a rotating foil (the jib foil) along its length, a swivel at the top that allows the foil to turn without twisting the stay, and a furling drum at the bottom that winds the sail. The jib or genoa attaches to the foil via a luff rope or bolt rope; when a furling line or halyard is pulled in, the sail is rolled around the forestay. To unfurl, the line is eased and the sail unwraps.

Roller furlers are commonly used for headsails on cruising yachts. They come in rigid or flexible foil designs and can be integrated with a dedicated halyard or a long furling line. Some systems use a luff wire to help maintain shape, while others rely on the sail’s design to preserve performance when partially furled. They are less common for high-performance or extensive working headsails where sail shape is critical.

Advantages include easier handling in heavy weather, faster reefing, and the possibility of single-handed operation. Disadvantages can include reduced sail shape efficiency when partially furled, added weight and drag, potential for mechanical failure, and greater maintenance requirements for the gear and lines. Regular inspection of the swivel, foil, drum, and associated lines is recommended.

History of roller furling developed in the mid-20th century to simplify sail handling on cruising yachts and has since become a standard feature on many production and custom vessels.