We're all getting older. If he wants to make the boat easier to manage, I'd go for in-mast furling. Probably would be about the same price.

We don't have one. Personally, both the Admiral and I like the standard hoisting mainsail with the halyard running to an electric winch in the cockpit. That's what we did on Tropical Dance.

Our one Antal electric winch has a system of 5 clutches. ( main halyard, main sheet, internal halyard (multi purpose), headsail furling and first reef line ) It's just the two of us on 50' of boat and perhaps the best addition we've done to the boat.

As we get older what we don't want is anything to hang up. The only time a large boat is difficult is when something hangs up and it can't be released.

Furling booms scare me.