To each their own. They aren't for everyone but it's an option that costs ($200 compared to $1000 for a foiled) a lot less and yes you keep the forestay...and hoist the headsail up independently. Personally, I don't reef my 1800lb 20'r often enough to make reefing a concern. Bigger boats I do but not small ones where crew weight is such a big factor. Reefing a headsail on the forestay jacks the CE way up too so foils aren't a free pass on best balance either. It also tend to stretch the hexx out of a sail. If a person worries about the head and tack being a weakness on a standard furler they should reconsider because it's a waste of energy. Modern gear is bulletproof and damaging them takes less care than keeping a foil straight...even non foiled furling gear from the 1940s/50s didn't break. For what its worth. I retired in 2003 and went to work pt in a marine supply house about a yr ago. We see bent up and trashed foils caused by stepping the rig on a regular basis. Yrs back I had a 42' cutter with twin furlers too, so this isn't my first and only exposure to them. One thing I think most of us agree on is furlers are great! Peace, Bill ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.