anybody use a profurl sail?

[Kirk Wickersham]

I have a Macgregor 26 and often sail singlehanded or with an inexperienced crew. There's often a stiff wind when I'm trying to lower the mailsail and I have trouble keeping the boat pointed and then lowering and securing the main. I've been to the Profurl website -- they make rollerfurling main sails that roll into the boom, not the mast, and so they have battens. Has anyone used one of these sails? How does the sail perform compared to a stock Mac mainsail? Does the furling system work smoothly? Does anyone know of published reviews of this system? Are there other sailmakers that offer this type of system?Thanks very much.Kirk

[Steve Dion]

Kirk:Just looked at these and I do not know if they make one that would be suitable for your size boat. I do remember that they started in the $6k -$11k range. I think you still have to keep the boat into the wind to get your main down.Look at a autopilot (lots cheaper) and may solve/resolve your problem. The other advantage of the autopilot is that you can get a beer or visit the head while underway when you are alone!

[Tim S.]

Kirk, you may want to look at something like the Doyle StackPack system. Far less expensive than a roll boom and you can probably use your existing main. Most roll booms require an new mainsail to work well and maintain there warranty.