Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and furling a sail wherein a hollow mast having a chamber therein is provided with a slot leading into the chamber and a rotatable inner mast in the chamber arranged to bear the weight of the sail in compression. Rotating the inner mast furls the sail. The inner mast is also relatively rigid against torsional bending, its diameter is relatively large. The width of the slot is also relatively large and contoured so that the sail slides freely through the slot even though wrinkled. As a result, the sail can employ adequate fullness, and risk of jamming while furling is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a sail is provided whereby the sail is hoisted by a halyard, and latched in the fully hoisted position. The halyard is then disconnected from the sail leaving the sail free to rotate, for reefing or furling purposes independently of the halyard. The sail is lowered by unlatching same from the fully hoisted position, the unlatching being accomplished by raising a rotatable tubular member to which the luff of the sail is slidably attached, so as to release the latch.