Abstract: A jib furler halyard top fitting has a body for coupling to a top end of an extruded member that longitudinally receives a stay and a main portion of a halyard of a marine vessel such that the extruded member is rotatable about the stay. The body of the fitting has a passage to receive the stay. A first sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge aligned with the main portion of the halyard extending through the extruded member. A second sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge aligned with an end section of the halyard coupled to the top of the jib. A third sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge including portions aligned with the first and second sheaves respectively such that the halyard remains tangential with adjacent sheaves along a length of the halyard received through the fitting.

Abstract: A bearing for a sail furling apparatus includes a spherical body having a longitudinal axis and containing a cylindrical longitudinal through-opening for receiving a cable of the furling apparatus. The body is freely rotatable on the cable and protects the furled sail from abrasive contact with the cable. The body contains a plurality of spaced longitudinal channels in the outer surface to define a plurality of spaced flutes to further space the furled sail from the cable and to facilitate smooth furling and unfurling of the sail.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to limiting the use of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by particular occupants based on permission data. More specifically, permission data may include destinations, routes, and/or other information that is predefined or set by a third party. The vehicle may then access the permission data in order to transport the particular occupant to the predefined destination, for example, without deviation from the predefined route. The vehicle may drop the particular occupant off at the destination and may wait until the passenger is ready to move to another predefined destination. The permission data may be used to limit the ability of the particular occupant to change the route of the vehicle completely or by some maximum deviation value. For example, the vehicle may be able to deviate from the route up to a particular distance from or along the route.

Abstract: A bearing for a sail furling apparatus includes a spherical body having a longitudinal axis and containing a cylindrical longitudinal through-opening for receiving a cable of the furling apparatus. The body is freely rotatable on the cable and protects the furled sail from abrasive contact with the cable. The body contains a plurality of spaced longitudinal channels in the outer surface to define a plurality of spaced flutes to further space the furled sail from the cable and to facilitate smooth furling and unfurling of the sail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller reefing boom (1 in FIG. 1) for a boom sail set with sail battens, preferably a mainsail (6), of a ship (2) with a partially enclosing sail stowage space (27) of aluminium or Faserplast, in which a largely planar sail (6) can be reefed or stowed by rolling it up, wherein the trimming of the sail (6) in all reefing states is achieved by the roll reefing boom (1) comprising a number of segments (11, 12, 14) which can be swung away horizontally in relation to one another, making the sail (6) that is guided by them adjustable variably according to the strength of the wind by means of internal control devices (37 and 76) with fixed profile characteristics (23 a and 23 b) in the depth of the profile (24).

Abstract: A roller furler assembly for furling a sail where the luff is vertically or diagonally supported by a stay cable. The assembly includes a hollow drive shaft longitudinally aligned around the stay cable adjacent to the luff. A drive mechanism is coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft. Integrally formed or connected to the drive shaft is a torque input device that connects to and re-enforces a portion of a hollow, flexible sail edge device fitted over the middle and upper sections of the drive shaft. The sail edge device includes a longitudinally aligned slot or track that directly connects to a beaded edge attached to the luff. The length of the torque input device is approximately 5%-25% of the stay cable and sufficient so that when the drive shaft is rotated, torque or rotational force is applied directly to the section of the luff located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque input device and near the sail's geometric center.

Abstract: A mainsail reefing system comprises: a drum assembly including first and second coaxial drums for collecting luff-end and leech-end reefing lines, respectively; a drive mechanism for rotating the drum assembly; and a levelwind mechanism including a cam shaft configured to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion, and first and second line guides mechanically coupled to the cam shaft, where the line guides are configured to move in a reciprocating motion across the width of the first and second drums, respectively, for guiding the reefing lines onto their respective drums. The levelwind mechanism is mechanically coupled to the reefing mechanism for coordination of movement of the line guides with rotation of the drum assembly. A preferred drive assembly comprises a third drum attached coaxially to the first and second drums, and a larger diameter threaded disc coaxially attached to an end of the third drum.

Abstract: A furling group (1) for furling flexible bodies (FB) includes a frame (10) which supports a mandrel (20) in an angularly rotatable manner about a fixed axis (22); an actuating unit (30) being mechanically connected to the mandrel (20) in order to rotate the mandrel (20) axially so as to furl a flexible body (FB); a transmission unit (40) being arranged between the actuating unit (30) and the mandrel (20), in order to transmit a torque to the mandrel (20) according to a given transmission ratio (?) sufficient to control a furling action for furling the flexible body (FB), and with the transmission unit (40) having a mechanical control device (50) suitable to cooperate with the actuating unit (30) in order to condition an unfurling of the flexible body (FB) from the mandrel (20).

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a furling swivel mechanism comprising a liner defining a vertical centerline. An inner sleeve is disposed on the liner and the inner sleeve defines an inner sleeve recess. An outer sleeve is rotatably coupled to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve defines an outer sleeve recess. A headsail yoke is coupled to the inner sleeve recess. A halyard yoke is coupled to the outer sleeve recess. The inner sleeve recess and the outer sleeve recess are configured to form a zero moment along the vertical centerline.

Abstract: A device for winding sails comprises at least an outer contoured element wound on and made rigid with an inner contoured element for transmitting a torque required for winding a sail being wound on the outer contoured element.

Abstract: A roller furling system for sailing yachts contains a rotating mandrel mounted within a boom of the vessel, and furls or reefs the sail within the boom. The furler includes the hollow boom which has a slot on the upper surface to permit the sail to enter, foot first. A rotating mandrel is mounted within the boom and a drum, attached to the after end of the boom and concentric with the mandrel, provides means to rotate the mandrel. A winding line is wound around the drum and is redirected by a series of pulleys out of the forward end of the boom. The boom is mounted on, and above a gooseneck fitting attached to the mast, thereby providing full access to the mast end of the boom slot. A sail feeder provides easy entry of the sail into the boom slot, and prevents jamming, particularly jamming caused by the forward end of the sail battens. The feeder has two sides along the boom slot, and an end piece, which prevents the batten ends from jamming above the end of the boom slot.

Abstract: A furling boom comprising: a drive housing adapted for mounting on a mast, the housing comprising a drive take off and a boom support. A boom of substantially c-shaped cross section is pivotally connected to said boom support by a universal joint and having its opening facing upwardly. An elongated mandrel extends within the boom and is connected at one end by a universal joint to the drive take off and at its other end by a rotating floating axle pivotally connected to the free end of the boom, whereby the foot of a said is connected to the mandrel and furled thereabout upon rotation of said mandrel. A drive unit mounted on said drive housing. The floating axle prevents binding and friction during furling and unfurling when the mandrel is bent upwardly. The drive housing reinforces the mast at the connection of the boom.

Abstract: A rolling reef system for the main sail (4) of a sailing vessel, the said main sail having an after leech (5), an under leech (7) secured to the boom (3) and a fore leech (6) connected to the mast (2), wherein said boom can be mounted on the mast in such a manner that it is both rotatable along its longitudinal axis and can be swivelled about the mast. The main sail is provided with one or more battens (11, 12) extending practically parallel to the under leech (7) from the after leech up to the fore leech (6). At the end of the boom (3) that is adjacent to the mast, the boom is provided with a disc (9) extending coaxially to the boom and having a significant larger diameter than the boom itself. The fore leech of the main sail comprises a rope (13) having a relatively small guiding profile, said rope is slidably accommodated by and retained in a guiding profile (14) secured to the mast, the said profile extending over practically the entire height of the main sail.

Abstract: A roller furling element for installation on a head stay of a sail boat, the element including two longitudinally extending hollow outer extrusions in an end-to-end abutting relationship. A two piece splice assembly joins the extrusions together and provides the torsional strength needed for a furling element. The two piece splice assembly includes a central axis and a longitudinally extending forward or nose portion having a curved outer surface and rearwardly extending projections each including a longitudinally extending groove. A tail piece includes a pair of longitudinally extending outwardly extending projections which are adapted to fit into the parallel notches in the forward portion. A transverse passageway extends into the nose and tail portions when the two portions are aligned so that a rod or button can be inserted.

Abstract: An arrangement for a sailing boat which exhibits a jib furling system (2) comprising a sail furling part (5) extending between the hull and mast of the boat, which sail furling part is rotatably driven by means of a manually actuated operating line (6) which drives a drive part (7) that is connected to the aforementioned sail furling part (5) to achieve furling of the foresail around the aforementioned rotatable sail furling part (5), and so that unfurling of the sail from the aforementioned sail furling part (5) is possible. A gear (9) is arranged between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5). The gear (9) is provided with devices to enable gearing to be obtained between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5).

Abstract: A plastic roller furling apparatus includes an elongated member or furling element and a pair of longitudinally extending parallel wires encased therein. The member also defines a central opening or passageway which extends therethrough. This passageway is dimensioned or sized to fit loosely around a stay in which the apparatus is installed. The furling element also includes one and preferably two grooved luff foils which are formed in and extend along the length of the plastic member. Split bearing elements are provided at or near the base of the plastic member and a furling drum or jib sail spool is provided for rotating the plastic member about a stay to furl the sail. The plastic member also includes first and second longitudinally extending segments which extend along the length of and divide the plastic member into two pieces. The segments each include integral fasteners for fastening the two segments together along their length.

Abstract: A main sail's mast rope is inserted into a hollow profile, which is aerodynamically designed and hinged by at least one ring around a substantially round mast. The profile can rotate around the mast about 90.degree. on each side. The shape and function of the profile provide an ideal flow curve for air flow over the mast, profile and sail. The inside of the profile can be designed for roller reefing where the sail is rolled up on a stay provided inside the profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boom for a sailing boat including: an elongate structure which bounds a cavity extending in longitudinal direction; a slotted hole extending on the top side thereof in longitudinal direction; and a pulling member drivable by a first drive means and extending in a longitudinal direction for pulling through the slotted hole into the cavity and storing therein a part of the sail to be rendered inoperative. The invention provides a boom of the type stated in the background which has the feature that the slotted hole is bounded by two mutually parallel prismatic edges with which a carriage movable therealong co-acts such that the carriage prevents a relative displacement of these edges away from each other, which carriage is movable at least partly by second drive means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mast and boom coupled thereto by means of a coupling means for a sailing boat, which includes: an elongate structure which bounds a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction; a slotted hole extending on the top side thereof in the longitudinal direction; and a winding member rotatably drivable by drive means and extending in the cavity in the longitudinal direction for winding up and unwinding a sail movable through the slotted hole.

Abstract: A canopy assembly (10) comprising a canopy fabric (20) and furling means (40) extending between a pair of supports (30). The furling means (40) runs through the canopy fabric such that the canopy may be unfurled from both sides of the furling means simultaneously. Both free corners (22, 24) of the unfurled canopy are tethered to the ground or posts (50) to provide a taut smooth canopy. The tension in the furling means (40) is adjustable such that it remains substantially straight and taut in a furling condition, and in an erected condition may be relaxed to conform to the curved shape of the canopy.

Abstract: A system to be installed on a sail-boat for furling a spinnaker (1) and for remote fitting of the spinnaker (1) to a boom (2) swivel-mounted on the mast (3) of the sail-boat comprises a stay (4) offset with respect to the stay for the jib (5), a furling device (6) secured to the offset stay (4), at least one boom swivel-mounted on the mast (3), a spinnaker (1) fitted in the central part of its belly with at least one supple link (17) which can be attached to the furling device (6), a circular sheet (11) knotted at the end (9) of the boom (2) and passing through the tack of the spinnaker (1), the foot (13) of the mast (3) and a point (14) on the mast (3) at a predetermined height to serve as a topping lift for the articulated boom (2), said circular sheet (11) being passed through a cleat ( 12) and manoeuvered from the sail-boat cockpit to lower and raise said articulated boom (2) and bring the far end (9) of said boom into contact with said spinnaker (1).

Abstract: Luff guiding device for a sail, the sail being able to be wound on a boom of a sail boat, comprising a first element including a continuous groove in which a luff of a sail is engaged to freely circulate, the sail being able to be wound on a boom of a sail boat. The first element is positioned at a rear of a mast, and is pivotally mounted around a longitudinal axis extending through the element on both sides of a plane of symmetry of the sailboat.

Abstract: A luff roller reefing and roller furling sail is provided with a luff pad (6) made up of a laminate of a sail fabric (1) adhesively bonded to a polyurethane elastomeric foam (3). The pad is then adhesively bonded and/or stitched to the length of the luff of a sail (5), tapered from mid-luff to the tack and head. A luff tape is preferably adhesively bonded and stitched over each face of the laminate. When the sail is furled, the tapered luff pad provides bulk to cause more fabric to be drawn from the central portion of the sail, reducing draft and controlling position of the draft in partially furled conditions, and maintaining aerodynamically sound shape in the sail for windward performance.

Abstract: A sail batten for use in stiffening a sail comprises an elongate rectangular member (10) provided in its mid region with a channel section portion (11) which rises from one surface (12) of the batten, the channel section gradually decreasing in height from one end of the batten to the other so that the stiffness of the batten varies along its length.

Abstract: A sail winder, more particularly a mainsail winder tube, made of a tube or similar profile rotating about its axis under the action of a control system, to which the sail is rigidly connected and about which it winds, and wherein a control system, made of a toothed pulley, is accommodated inside the mast foot or beneath the mast foot.The winder includes, for hauling the sail, a halyard passing in a higher portion of the winder tube over a pulley rigidly connected to the tube and rotating therewith, with the halyard passing inside the tube and exiting from the winder tube via another pulley rigidly connectd to a fixed portion of the winder.

Abstract: A sail reducing winder is provided comprising a rotary tube parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mast as well as a device for holding this tube in position, which has at least two curved wings joined together by one of their ends by a connecting element able to be mounted on the mast, these two wings partially surrounding the tube and having, opposite the connecting element, two respective end edges extending parallel to the tube and defining an axial passage zone for the sail, the wings being offset axially so that their end edges are axially spaced apart from each other by a given distance.

Abstract: In a sailboat having a sail such as a Genoa jib with roller reefing for spirally winding the sail on a fairing around a stay, a winch mechanism for turning the fairing about the stay and spirally winding the sail to and from the fairing is disclosed. The winch includes a high mechanical advantage clutch, preferably a cone clutch, normally engaged by load between the sail and sheet exerting an unwinding force upon the fairing through the normally engaged clutch to a normally stationary clutch driving shaft. The clutch driving shaft has a first clutch member ratchetted from the vessel to permit turning of the entire clutch for taking in of the sail. The clutch includes a second clutch member attached for rotation with the fairing relative to the vessel and driven for both sail take-up and let out by the normally stationary clutch driving shaft. The normally stationary clutch driving shaft is in turn driven usually by a hydraulic motor or upon motor failure by a ratchetted winch handle.

Abstract: A rigging and sail system for a sailboat including a rotatable mast having mounted thereon for rotation therewith, a pair of upper and lower booms extending transversely of the mast. The booms are connected to the mast through upper and lower tension members extending between the mast and the outer ends of the booms respectively and vertical fore and aft tension members extending between outer end portions of the booms on opposite sides of the mast. A pair of sails such as a main and jib are sheeted to and between the booms on opposite sides of the mast to be movable with the booms relative to the hull, and with the jib being movable relative to the booms to allow self-tacking during use merely upon steering the sailboat across the wind.

Abstract: A device which allows hanking characterized by improved apparatus in a boat with a conventional mast, a plurality of lines and accessories, roller furling jib headsail, comprising a large diameter ring disposed about the furling jib system and furled said headsail wiht rollers that allow said ring to move vertically along said furling jib system and headsail without damage to said headsail for most efficiently controlling a cruising spinnaker sail in a vertical plane. Also disclosed are details of the rings and rollers thereon.

Abstract: A forestay cover has a central tunnel for housing a forestay and two symmetrical side grooves on opposite longitudinal sides. One side groove engagably retains a staysail. The second side groove employs a hoisting handle attached to a halyard of the staysail. A cap on top of the cover provides a curved pathway for the halyard from the one side groove around one side of the central tunnel and into the second side groove. The bottom of the cover is releasably attached to a swivel which rotates the cover about the forestay and thereby furls the staysail. The cover is elastic enough to twist during furling without reaching its elastic limit. The cover is also flexible enough to bend to a radius of less than about one half its length. The swivel rotates about a bearing which is prevented from rotating by a u-shaped bracket. The legs of the u-shaped bracket are secured to the bearing and the curved portion of the u-shaped bracket is linked to a bow fixture, such as a toggle strap.

Abstract: A sail maneuverable through the rotation of a rolling and unrolling structure to which the sail is anchored along an anchorage edge. A sheath surrounds the rolling structure and engages the sail at opposite sides along a coupling line spaced from the anchorage edge. The sheath and that intermediate portion of the sail between the coupling line and the anchorage edge being shaped so that when the sail is unrolled the sheath stretches out, retaining the intermediate portion within the end zones unstretched, causing the sail to take a bellying or fat-sail arrangement. At the beginning of rolling, the sail is pulled back into the intermediate portion and progressively also into the end zones, thereby assuming a flat-sail arrangement.

Abstract: This device for furling a sail of a ship on a boom (1) connected to a mast (2) by means of articulation means (3) and mounted so that it can rotate about itself, comprising means for driving the boom (1) in rotation (7) in order to furl the sail on the latter, is characterized in that the said means for driving in rotation (7) are arranged on the end of the boom (1) away from the articulation means (3). These driving means comprise a drum (8) integrally fastened to the boom (1), around which is arranged a line for driving (10) the said drum, this line being connected, for example, to the steering station of the ship by return means (11, 12).

Abstract: A sail device characterized in that a sail frame is formed of upper and lower horizontal beam members fixed horizontally to a mast and linealy bent at bending points, holding pillars that are rotatably supported at the above mentioned bending points by these horizontal beam members and that hold a part of a developed sail, and supporting pillars arranged and fixed at both right and left ends of the above mentioned horizontal beam members and assembled rotatably with respect to the horizontal beam members and rotation stoppably by stopper means,at least, between the above mentioned upper and lower horizontal beam members, the lower horizontal beam member is formed to be of a horizontally expanding shape,a sail formed of a flexible material is reinforced by fitting a plurality of self-standing rods in the vertical direction of the sail and the above mentioned self-standing rods can be supported at the lower ends on the above mentioned lower horizontal beam member.

Abstract: A three hulled sailboat consists of a tripod frame having three generally horizontal spars which define support points at their distal ends. During the sailing of the boat, one support point is always toward the windward, and the other two support points are leeward. A generally vertical mast supported on the frame has a masthead spaced equidistantly from the two lee support points and generally above the windward support point. Three buoyant hulls are coupled to the respective support points, the hulls being elongated with a high length-to-beam ratio, and being symmetrical about a transverse vertical plane for movement through the water in either direction. The hulls are coupled for independent rotation and steering relative to the frame and also for independent pitching relative to the frame about transverse central axes. Independent steering is provided for each of the three hulls relative to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for furling a sail on a sailboat having a mast includes a stay extending between the deck and the mast on the sailboat, a hollow shaft loosely fitted over the stay and supporting the side edge of the sail, the hollow shaft being rotatable about the stay such that the sail can be wound and unwound about the hollow shaft, at least one ring member disposed around the shaft and having an opening which permits the sail to move onto the shaft therethrough, and wire ropes extending between the deck and mast on the sailboat and supporting the ring member about the shaft.

Abstract: A sail batten suitable for roller-furling and composed of one or more long thin elements of a material possessing great stiffness and yield strength. The elements are formed so that their longitudinal cross-section is smoothly curved. Consequently this batten is stiff enough to provide the control of sail shape for which battens are used. Yet it is so resilient that, like a carpenter's rule, it flattens without damage into a flexible ribbon which coils tightly about a transverse axis. Thus a batten for sails which furl or reef about any axis. Chafe at an end is minimized by tapering the batten towards that end. Elements of compound curvature provide antisymmetrical stiffness to resist distortion of the sail to either side. Other species which achieve the same result are elements of opposing curvature nested in pockets together and elements of opposing curvature in substantially parallel pockets. Rigid connections between elements are only made at the end of the bundle which will be wound up first.

Abstract: A device for limiting the rotational movement of the outer part of the swivel of a sail roller equipping a sailing boat comprising at least a mast, a stay cable having an end portion adapted for connecting the stay to the mast, and a halyard fixed to the swivel by a connecting piece and passing over a sheave provided at the head of the mast, the roller comprising at least one tube on which the sail may be rolled and which is mounted for rotation about the stay cable, the swivel comprising an inner part mounted for sliding on the tube and secured for rotation therewith, this inner part being fixed to the sail, and an outer part mounted for rotation on the inner part and on which are mounted the connecting piece, the device further comprising at least one piece secured against axial and rotational movement to the stay cable and situated in a zone between the upper end of the tube and the end portion of the stay, and comprising at least two abutment surfaces which extend radially and which cooperate with the con

Abstract: Mechanism for hoisting and reefing a sail on a sailing vessel wherein the foot of the sail is connected along its length to a roller boom, and wherein the hoisting and reefing of the said sail is effected by halyard means passing over a pulley at an upper portion of a mast associated with the said roller boom and connected at one of its ends to a hoisting drum and connected at the other end to a reefing drum, and is also connected to the peak of the sail, and wherein the said reefing drum is connected to the said roller boom whereby the boom is rotatable with the said reefing drum, characterized in that there are provided: (a) rotatable clutch (25) means for selectively rotating the said hoisting drum (8) and the said reefing drum (4)(b) selective engaging and locking means (9, 9a, 26, 28) for selectively engaging the said clutch to the said hoisting drum or the said reefing drum, and automatically to lock the said hoisting drum with the said reefing drum at the end of a hoisting operation, and to unlock the

Abstract: Apparatus for furling a sailboat jib about a forestay with a cylindrical sleeve mounted about the forestay to which the jib is attached, a deck mounted rotary actuator for rotating the sleeve to furl the jib, a manually operated gear box, and a flexible shaft coupling the gear box to the actuator. The apparatus can be adapted to existing roller furlers by a split ring adapter.

Abstract: Luff furling main and head sails are subject to sagging-off to leeward in heavy winds thereby decreasing the aerodynamic efficiency of the sails. The invention diminishes or eliminates this problem by providing a strip of sail cloth which may be interposed between the luff furling apparatus and a rigging member such as a mast or stay, the strip having a sliding connection with both members along their lengths whereby the load on the sail is transferred uniformly along the length of the rigging member and the furling apparatus is prevented from sagging to leeward.

Abstract: A sail support and control system designed for use as sail assist propulsion on a cargo vessel.The system provides complete powered control of the amount of exposed sail, the angle of the sail in relation to the vessel, and clew outhaul and downhaul tension so that no manual handling of rigging is required.

Abstract: A Roller-furling sail both main sail and head sail, such as jibs or genoas, are constructed in the reverse miter cut or Scotch cut. The sails are constructed of sail cloth panels to the luff with one mitered seam bisecting the angle made by the panels that run parallel to the foot and the leech of the sail. The panels running adjacent to the foot and the leech are of a heavier weight cloth than the remaining body of the sail. As the sail is furled a greater portion of the lighter weight sail cloth is taken up thereby leaving an increased percentage of the heavier sail cloth exposed to the stronger winds. The sail may also be provided with a luff flattening panel that is seared to the luff of the sail in a generally curved shape from the area of the tack to the area of the head of the sail. The luff flattening panel allows the sail to be partially furled and maintain the desired flat shape.

Abstract: Sailboat having twin booms, doubled sail and rotatable mast permits conventional sailing with both booms and sail sections on same tack or with booms spread, wing and wing, to run before the wind or on a reach. Sail may be reefed or furled by rotating the mast.

Abstract: A sailboat roll furling system in which sails can be roll-furled inside of an extruded housing which is pivotally mounted on existing masts, headstays or under yardarms of square rigged vessels. The housing encloses a luff wire mounted for rotation within the housing by a pulley system. An arrangement including a boom car with line and pulley system is used to control the shape of the leech of the mainsail.

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.

Abstract: A roller reefing system for reefing any sail (e.g. main, mizzen, staysail, jib or genoa) of a sailboat is disclosed which includes an elongated insert element operatively connected to the luff or leading edge of the sail, and having a predetermined continuously contoured configuration or variable cross-section along its length, to accommodate sail fullness during furling and unfurling operations.

Abstract: A hollow mast having a longitudinal slot in the aft end thereof contains a stationary tension member supporting a rotatable rod having at least one C-shaped groove longitudinally disposed therein parallel to the tension member. The C-shaped groove is adapted to retain a bead located in the luff of a sail. A swivel surrounding the rod provides a rotatable part for hoisting the sail and a non-rotatable part for attachment of a sail hoisting halyard. A rotator is provided for rotating the rotatable member whereby the sail is furled about the rotatable member protected within the mast.

Abstract: A sail furling apparatus having a fixed core for connection to a wind powered device is disclosed herein. A rotatable sail sleeve having a bore formed therein is rotatably mounted on the fixed core. A double sheet airfoil sail is connected to the rotatable sail sleeve. A boom sleeve is mounted beneath the rotatable sail sleeve and engages the core. A boom is connected to the boom sleeve and is positioned perpendicular to the core, the sail sleeve and the boom sleeve. A freely rotatable eccentric sheath substantially surrounds the sail sleeve. The freely rotatable eccentric sheath has a slot and the airfoil sail passes through the slot. A furling apparatus is used to rotate the sail sleeve to draw the airfoil sail into the eccentric sheath or release it from the eccentric sheath.

Abstract: In the mainsail roll-furling system disclosed herein, the mainsail is roller-furled inside a tubular compartment in the mast itself, the sail being drawn out through an aft-facing slot in the mast. A swivel is utilized between the halyard and the luff of the mainsail and a guide is provided on the halyard side of the swivel which both positively prevents rotation of the halyard during furling of the sail and positions the upper end of the sail luff essentially in the middle of the sail storage compartment.