Abstract: The invention is a rigid supporting member that changes position within a pocket of sheet material to accommodate a deployed position and a stowed position, as may be used, for example, with battens in roller furling sails. The member is placed within the pocket formed within sheets of a pliable material, or attached to the pliable material, and the member is movably secured within the pocket, such as with a pivoting fixture. The member may be rotated into a first position that supports a shape of the pliable material when the pliable material is deployed, and a second position that accommodates stowage of the pliable material through folding, rolling, or the like. A variety of control systems may be used to control rotation or other movement of the member, and to control deployment and stowage of the pliable material.

Abstract: A sail system in which the sail is reefed or furled by dropping and folding it progressively into a cover extending along the foot. The cover has starboard and port cover sides extending upwardly from the foot and joining cover lifters which are in turn attached to the sail. The cover sides have closure means along their upper edges for fastening them together after the sail and fly have been fully furled therewithin. Lazy jacks extend along each side of the sail and downwardly to the foot. One or more reef lines may each extend from the foot upwards through a cover side, through a reef cringle on the sail, and downwardly to a pulley attached at the clew.