Roller furling was an option on both the Ariel and Commander. Most of the Ariels in the SF fleet that were originally equipped with roller furling changed to jiffy (slab) reefing.
Roller furling was an option on both the Ariel and Commander. Most of the Ariels in the SF fleet that were originally equipped with roller furling changed to jiffy (slab) reefing.
Bill, Does the SF fleet simply live with the shorter boom and I would assume smaller mail sail or is the boom replaced? Although 5 inches doesn't amount to much. I couldn't imagine pulling rearward on the boom and then twisting to shorten the sail as described in another post above. It isn't likely you would be doing this when becalmed, more than likely in a blow when you have already waited to long to reef. Have you seen a reefing boom with a crank handle to rotate the boom ( on an Ariel)?
The "pull and roll" system was the standard boom gooseneck arrangement. The "roller" system (with crank) was an upgrade. As far as I can tell, the mainsail dimensions remain the same for both. "Jeffy reefing," especially with the lines running to the cockpit, is faster, safer and maintains a better sail shape.
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