FURLERBOOM review: first look & 10,000 nm later aboard two X-Yachts

I don't often review boats/products because it gets a little touchy in the small world of sailing. But in this case, I think it's worth putting this out there.
I think the FURLERBOOM (Danish made) looks nice as a boom-furling system but that's as far as it goes for me. There are eleven big reasons why I don't suggest using this system.
Looks aren't everything!
NOTE: I said these Furlerbooms were being replaced across the X-yacht fleet. I don't know if that is true, and I doubt that it is. That was an exaggeration on my part. X-Yachts, BTW, are some of the best built boats you can find anywhere. I have over 15,000nm sailing on them!
* Sorry for the audio

[@GlennACoop1]

Really interesting and appreciate your insights. I have been watching all of your videos and always learn something. I hope you continue making videos.

[@MustadMarine]

Thanks!

[@vincentthebaud8943]

I've done a few deliveries with in mast and boom furlings and I've found that most problems are operator error or multiple errors. Quite often owners don't don't invest their time to fully comprehend the proper use of these systems. Let's face it, when it's time to reef, you're in pounding seas high winds not to mention your standing and running rigging being under ever increasing loads. Firstly, you should ease off your backstay tension. Second, the vang control the proper roll of the furl. Before you head to sea you calibrate the point of vang tension that gives you even neutral wraps in the boom furling. You place a knot in the line right were it meets the clutch. I find that with electric winches you become isolated from extreme loads that otherwise you would be aware of when cranked manually. This would also keep you reaching a point of mechanical failure.

[@pauls3325]

Great insights- this type of tech is great when it works - I think I’ll set my dream boat at an older X-50 - a bit less tech to wrong - and if it does go wrong I can easily fix with reefing lines .

[@ezmn9663]

Not to change the subject completely, but have you had nearly as many concerns with in-mast furling? The worry with in-mast is a jammed sail with no ability to drop in heavy weather.
Great video BTW...

[@MustadMarine]

Thanks!
Yeah, in mast systems have their pros and cons, of course. The reason for this video is the particular nature of the "FurlerBoom" and how impractical it is for cruising/racing. My client did a two-handed race to Hawaii and almost lost the gooseneck pin which would have been a disastrous nightmare. As it was, the pin bent as it was backing out, so they had to tie down the boom and finish the race under jib. Imagine a 300-400# boom loaded with a mainsail smashing about!

[@ezmn9663]

@@MustadMarine Yeah, seems almost worth ripping all of them out. If a sailboat is going to live for 30 years through various hands, that system will make it through 0% of the time!
I am planning on a boat for coastal sailing and then perhaps blue water. The coast part will likely be me singlehanding with guests helping 5% - would you suggest sticking w/ slab or in-mast (which seems more single-handing friendly)?
Most new boats are in-mast these days, so there must be something there. Great videoa in your channel!