Cruising chute furlers

[ashtead]

I have a chute but thinking about a furler such as Karver or Harken but was told today of UBi /maier? So just wondered if any makes to avoid etc . Is it cheaper to buy such furler direct online ? Any downsides to using compared to a conventional sock approach before I start shopping around ?

 

[Tranona]

I have a Selden furler which most sailmakers offer as a standard bit of kit. The only issue I have had is getting the first bit of furl right without getting a bit of sail trapped inside the furl. Does not affect furling but means you can't unfurl and to get the trapped bit out you have to manually unfurl (off the boat) and start again. I sail single handed and I think the problem arose because I had difficulty in keeping tension on the sheet an pulling the furling line. anyway it happened twice so after discussing with the sailmaker we are trying with the luff flattened and permanently attached to the torque rope. Only tried it once and it seemed to work OK.

Discussions on the Bavaria forum suggested that the Profurl Spinex solves this problem

proboat.co.uk/item/13/74/890/Profurl-Spinex-Top-Down-Furler-9-18M

 

[ashtead]

Tranona thank you - I seem to recall my sailmaker suggested a Karver a few years ago but will look at the Selden and Profurl prices. Given I will also need a selden prodder as well this is a longer term project anyway. I was really just interested in ones to avoid for the chute- we have manual selden furler on the self tacker and Genoa so it might make sense to stick with a selden for the cruising chute.

 

[Tranona]

If you do go the Selden route then suggest you also get their stanchion mounted fairleads and double jammer block for the furling lines. Makes that bit of the exercise really eay.