One of the first things people seem to ask, “Why don’t you have roller furling?” Really, it’s just another questionable decision I’ve made over the years. Here’s a fools thought process:

With hank on sails it means I have to go forward whenever a headsail change is required, or even dousing a sail. The plus side is it’s not very far. I wrote a piece about working the foredeck of a Thunderbird which helped me get more comfortable with it and I have been doing it for over 14 years. Granted, not on the open ocean.

My decision regarding this choice, whether sound or not, was this. I have always had a full suite of headsails on Sampaguita. They have always been hank-on. I bought a new 100% jib in 2023, but the 80% jib and the 140% genoa were still very serviceable. I also bought a 140% drifter in 2023, as well as a storm jib. I could have ditched all the hank-on sails I had, put on some roller furling gear and basically settled with a one-sail-does-all approach. This could have been operated from the safety and convenience of the cockpit with no apprehension and quick decision making as far as headsail size with lots of variability. Seems like a no-brainer, right?

Here’s the thing. That one sail approach means it is most efficient when it is fully extended. In most other positions, the cut isn’t right. A Flicka 20 goes to windward, but you won’t win any races in that direction. So optimal sail efficiency is best. (When I played drums, cymbal makers came up with something called the crash/ride. Really, it was neither. It was a marketing gimmick for those who couldn’t afford two cymbals.) So I can put up the right sail for the job and Sampaguita will perform her best. I get an optimal foil, as long as I set the sail trim correctly. Also, if something bad happens to one of my sails, I have others. Any change you make on a boat always has its surprises as far as performance, hardware and application. It’s never simple, no matter what the salesman says. This was part of my simple approach, and even it had a couple surprises and alterations required. Plus, it’s just me, and safety hasn’t been my first priority. If that were the case, I would have never left the dock.

My experience with roller furling sails is they also require a heavy acrylic cover on the leech for UV protection. That really messes with its light wind ability and set, with sails flopping around more. No wonder sailboats motor everywhere. Light wind is far more common than heavy wind. Also, both at the docks in Ballard and Port Townsend, and at anchor in Mexico, I have seen sails unfurl and shred due to inattentiveness and jamming. I have heard accounts from people I’ve met about there furlers jamming at sea. Or wearing out at an inconvenient time and coming out of the slot. Admittedly, if you are sailing downwind in the trades, it’s mostly barn door sailing so an efficient foil isn’t required, but you can see there are trade offs. It’s another one of those must-haves I passed on. It keeps me engaged at least. And keeps my fool schtick consistent.

Here are a couple videos of me changing headsails on the Pacific passage. They are sped up because, well, it’s a little like watching paint dry. Whatever. It is what it is.