Sailboat furler

for cruiser-racer sailboatsfor cruising sailboatsmainsail

Overview
The Starfurl furling boom is designed to let small crews handle mainsail operations — hoisting, lowering and reefing — directly from the cockpit. The mainsail rolls inside the boom and is controlled by a closed-loop line operated from cockpit winches. The halyard stays independent, allowing sail lowering without the winder. The mainsail keeps a traditional full-batten geometry modified to roll into the boom, preserving sail area and a generous roach. Fabrics can be high-performance for racing or fast cruising while remaining protected when wrapped inside the boom.

Key characteristics

• Strength and lightness: outer shell in high-modulus fibers and epoxy composite for optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio.
• Single-crew handling: hoisting, lowering and reefing manageable from the cockpit using existing winches.
• Performance and safety: roller system designed to allow safe lowering even if rolling mechanism jams; halyard independent from the furling circuit.
• Clean integration: streamlined profile replaces bulky lazy bag systems and allows options such as LED installation.
• High-performance sail compatibility: supports full-batten mainsails with generous roach while remaining furlable.

Parts of the system / Functional items

• Boom: tailored composite shell (weight, length, volume) made to fit each boat; designed for retrofit without major mast/deck modifications.
• Gooseneck, kicker, sheets: custom-made interfaces to suit existing rigging and geometry.
• Mast rail and ramp: mast-mounted rail lets the luff slide; a ramp at mast base assists transfer from boom to mast; rail type chosen by boat size.
• Loop line: operates the rolling mechanics and is run to an outhaul or reef stopper; outhaul and reef lines remain inside the boom, removing the need for redundant lazy jacks/bag.

Hoist / Lower / Reef maneuvers (summary)

• Hoist: head to wind, boom secured by topping lift or kicker; haul halyard and release loop line to hoist the sail from cockpit.
• Lower / Reef: head to wind, set boom height, engage closed circuit on the winch and ease halyard; the sail rolls into the boom and stops at the chosen reef position if required.

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Outer shell/casing: composite (aramid fibers, carbon, fiberglass) with epoxy resin.
• Internal mechanics: thick anodized anticorodal aluminum structural components.
• Head-rope: option of PVC or aluminum head-rope for ball or luff carriages.
• Colors: customizable to owner preferences.
• Sail compatibility: full-batten mainsail adapted to roll into the boom while retaining surface area and roach.
• Installation: designed for on-boat installation and refit without major deck or mast alterations; tailored to hull and rig (weight/length/volume).
• Safety: sail can be lowered even if the furling system jams thanks to independent halyard.
• Customization: boom dimensions and fittings (gooseneck, kicker, sheets) made to measure; rails and ramp adapted to vessel size.