Several years in Mexico - Anchored for over 900 nights.

Many, Many, MANY days/nights with 40 - 55 knot winds (chubascos, corumels, elephantes, tropical storms, thunderstorms, down slope drainage winds). During the winter in the Sea of Cortez it was not uncommon to have 35+ knots for 48 hours and to have 50 knots for 12 - 24 hours.

Never once had a single bit of concern about my 125% roller furler genoa coming unfurled. If the wind was above 35 knots I would wrap the furled genoa with extra line and would tie off the drum with three wraps around it and then down to the bow cleats.

I was unaware of ANY boat in an anchorage that I was in during that time that had a roller furler unfurl.

Five of us sat thru 12 hours of TS (60+ knots) and huge seas - no roller furler problems.

My only experience with roller furlers coming undone was with boats that had been long neglected and/or abandoned. I did see a few of those unwind. But not a single one of the hundreds of cruisers I knew had a sail unfurl.

I do agree that removing the roller furler and mainsail in preparation for a named storm is a good idea and I have done that many times. BUT - I think the concern for the unfurling is overdone.