Please select your home edition
Edition
TNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-5 TOP

In-mast and in-boom furling - improving all the time

by Des Ryan on 6 Jul 2011
F2 entire system comes as one to ensure compatibility and smooth operation SW
The allure of in-mast furling has always been the speed and lack of effort to get the sail up and down quickly. The problem, as expressed by many cruising sailors, is 'What if the mechanism gets stuck?' This has prevented many a sailor who can afford the expensive option to hang back. But the designers have been aware of this, and the technology is improving all the time.

As an example, now Formula Marine's recently announced strategic partnership with electronics specialists Floattech BV, to be called F² Advanced Sailing Technologies, claim they have improved the technology and the ease of operation.

In its first project the two companies have brought together their individual expertise to develop a highly efficient in-boom and in-mast furling system controlled with just one joy stick operation which can be located in the cockpit or any convenient position around the yacht.

The mechanics of the system have been exhaustively tested to ensure it is totally robust and able to work under extreme loads without damage to the sail. Maintenance is minimal as the system is built with the highest quality materials and parts.


The F² system has been designed as a fully integrated package which includes the power pack, controls, industrial control system and all masts and booms. This ensures that the automated system is totally compatible with the spars and will withstand the rigors of constant use season after season.

The first F² system has been fitted on a Perini 46m that has undergone extensive testing and trials over the last six months. The carbon booms were manufactured at Formula’s specialist carbon spar facility in Montpellier, France, while the finishing and fitting of the automated furling system has been carried out at Formula’s headquarters in Holland prior to installation on the yacht.

Formula’s head of sales Wim Mooiweer said, 'Floattech has a strong reputation for high quality design, programming and production of electronics, which it has built over many years in a variety of industries. Our partnership as F² Advanced Sailing Technologies combines our expertise and allows us to develop innovative products in the world of yachting, backed by Formula’s extensive experience in this market place.

'Our new F² system is unique due to its fingertip management of the system via just one joy stick. Furthermore using a carbon boom on the Perini yacht has allowed us to add the automated furling system without any addition to the weight compared to a standard aluminium boom. A huge improvement in sail management without any additional weight.'


The F² furling system allows variable speed control of the mainsail roll out by simple speed controlled operation of one joy stick. The electronic system controls both the mandrel and the captive winch with a constant variable combination of speed and torque values.

All necessary values are measured by encoders and feedback of the mandrel, the captive winch and even the boom angle towards the mast. This advanced control system is protecting the sail itself during sail operation. Reefing can also be carried out easily, from the safety of the cockpit where every individual function can be fine tuned.

Very nice, specially if it fits your budget...

Sea Sure 2025Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | D3 Inshore Racing Videos
More light and tricky conditions on the Solent. Three races? More light and tricky conditions on the Solent. Three races?
Posted today at 1:55 am
O'pen Skiff World Championship in Japan
Team USA delivers a solid performance Five US sailors traveled to Nishinomiya, Japan for six days of challenging conditions, hot temperatures, and world class sailing. USA sailor Lucas Doran was in third place in the U17 fleet before the final day of racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
Admirals Cup: Day 4 - All hanging on the Fastnet.
The end of the beginning of the 2025 Admirals' Cup. Rán runs aground - claims redress. Today marked the End of the Beginning of the 2025 Admirals' Cup with the conclusion of Inshore racing on what is known as the "Central Solent". The Baltic teams' TP52 Rán hit a sandbank and has claimed redress.
Posted on 24 Jul
Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49ers Series
Happening for the first time at Hamilton Island Race Week Palm Beach Motor Yachts is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the Palm Beach Motor Yachts Trans-Tasman 49er Series, which will debut at the 2025 Hamilton Island Race Week, celebrating its 40th edition in August.
Posted on 24 Jul
Less than 48 hours to Rolex Fastnet Race
Battle lines are being drawn up Battle lines are being drawn up for the RORC's centenary Rolex Fastnet Race. As the final day of Admiral's Cup inshore racing took place in the Solent, so several yachts due to take part in Saturday's main event were out training.
Posted on 24 Jul
A Day at the WASZP Games
Video interviews with some of the sailors and supporters of the class The WASZP Games 2025, being held at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in the UK, has attracted 248 of the foiling dinghies to take part in a week of varied and high intensity racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Thursday Gallery
First race of the day, captured for our viewing pleasure David Maynard was out on the water to catch the action from the first on Thursday of the Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing.
Posted on 24 Jul
World Sailing's inaugural Impact Report
Charting a new course for a sustainable future in sport World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, today released its first Impact Report, a comprehensive overview of the federation's significant progress in environmental sustainability and social contribution.
Posted on 24 Jul
Yoann Richomme returns to Fastnet
Says Elodie Bonafous' is the boat to beat This weekend's biennial Rolex Fastnet Race - one of the oldest classics in sailing - sees the IMOCA Class return to the racetrack, with eight boats on the startline on Saturday for what is the second round of this year's IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted on 24 Jul
2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior Worlds kicks off
Over 20 races scheduled across eight days, with the world's top young windsurfers chasing the title The world's fastest young windsurfers are arriving in Brittany as the 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships get under way in Brest.
Posted on 24 Jul