New Furling Gear - Moody 33

S

stevd

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Can anyone recommend a new furling system and best place to buy, or cheapest place to buy.

Im undecided about going all out and getting a Harken mkIV or Furlex 200 system. Are there some cheaper options which are just as good?

I am struggling to find suppliers. I have read of a few other makes, but it is difficult to find out information on them and places to buy them.

Any helpful suggestions?

Cheers

S
 
There's a reason people pay a bit more for Selden/Harken/Profurl gear! It's worth choosing quality gear, as many happy owners will testify.

There are lots of online sources if you Google, but you'd probably be able to get as good a price by having a word with a few local riggers. I'd guess you'd need to pay around £1700 for a Furlex 206S.
 
The last time I bought some spares for my very old Rotostay I enquired about the best kind to buy if the day came when I could no longer get parts for it. The Rotostay man said "Harken".
 
One negative comment - I was deeply unimpressed with having to replace a 6 year old Facnor as fitted to Jeanneau. The bearings went and according to Facnor were non-replaceable. I am aware that some people have, given time and some engineering knowledge, managed to source and fit new bearings, but the only quick fix was new units - first the top swivel and then later the same year the drum. The only original bits left are part of the foil. If I'd known the drum was also soon going to die when the top swivel went I'd have bought a different make, but at that point the drum appeared fine.

Interestingly there was a fairly sharp progression from "working OK" to "not turning properly under load".
 
I have had the Harken Unit1 ESP fitted to my Moody31.It is considerably cheaper than the Mk4.It does boats up to 10.6m.I had my boat rerigged last winter and the extra to have the new furler including fitting and a new line was just under £1000.
New rigging(mast down) was £1533 including bottle screws and greasing and refitting the old Hood furler.New rigging and fitting a new Harken ESP furler was £2500.The rigger took advantage of a special London Boat Show offer which is probably available this year as well.The new unit has made furling so much easier.A friend has also had this unit fitted and he is also impressed.Just a happy customer.
 
Thanks for the information.

My local rigger recommends the Furlex 200. but at £2k I am not surprised.

I am particularly interested in the ESP unit 1 as mentioned. What is the life expectancy of the unit? and is it easily serviceable? Would I notice much of a difference between the ESP and the mkIV?

Many thanks

S
 
stevd said:
I am particularly interested in the ESP unit 1 as mentioned. What is the life expectancy of the unit? and is it easily serviceable?
Click to expand...

It's too new to be sure about life expectancy, but Harken gear is generally well made.

The ESP has fixed swivels, rather than the independent swivels you find on the MkIV or Furlex.
 
I had mine fitted by Big Nig of Rig Magic a well known name on the East Coast and he said that washing it out with clean water I.E hold the hose over it is all it requires.

Harken gear usually lasts well.The ESP unit is aimed at the cruising market and it does not have the lazy turn of some systems, but that does not seem to inhibit a tight furl.The foam luff in my triradial laminate genoa probably helps in that regard.
 
ditchcrawler said:
I had mine fitted by Big Nig of Rig Magic a well known name on the East Coast and he said that washing it out with clean water I.E hold the hose over it is all it requires.

Harken gear usually lasts well.The ESP unit is aimed at the cruising market and it does not have the lazy turn of some systems, but that does not seem to inhibit a tight furl.The foam luff in my triradial laminate genoa probably helps in that regard.
Click to expand...

Don't skimp on this type of equipment, Just go for the best, and get the Harken. I fitted the Harken IV to my x-302 my self, it is not difficult. I would also replace the forestay at the same time, cheaper in the long run. The instructions from harken are very good, there is also a vidio on theior web site.

Not sure where you are based but if the mast is already out take the old furler and forestay to Harry at the "The Rig Shop" southampton. he will sort you out and provide helpful tips.
 
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