New Jib Furling system/foil - what thoughts, please?

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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Second Coast, Ross-shire, overlooking Gruinard Bay
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Time has come to replace forestay and jib-furling system and I'm wanting a good, reliable, non-mortgage system.
The Plastimo 810T at circa £700 is within budget. Forestay obviously extra to that.

Any views on the Plastimo, as I can't afford the Harken.

Or any other recommendations.

Much appreciated, as usual,

RW

Boat is a 9m sloop, masthead rig with 135% genoa.
 
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I have just had my furler replaced.The new Harken ESP for cruisers is about a £1000 to buy for my Moody 31.The twin groove Mk 4 Harken is nearly double this price when you add on the fittings.
I also had the rigging replaced and got the new Harken furler fitted for less than I could have bought it for.
 
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Thanks for the info. Have investigated the Plastimo and also Z Spars and Furlex.
Harken definitely out on money basis, but a classy piece of kit.

Looking like the Z Spars or Plastimo (both around £700 plus forestay) - and probably just a new forestay; the shrouds and backstay will have to wait!

Any other ideas or recommendations, please feel free to let me know as I shan't be committing just yet.
Ta,
RW
 
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Have a look at the Sailspar continuous line reefing gear. Nice thick rope to pull on and no chance of a foul up on the drum. Fitted one on my previous boat (31 ft Prout cat) and had no problems. Fitted two on my present boat (35 ft + bowsprit, cutter rig, 9 ton dispacement) as wanted to increase diameter of forestays. Have done a few thousand miles with each boat in varying wind strengths without any problems. Two friends who use their boats a lot, cruising for five months or so each year, have also fitted them without problems. They come as a complete kit and are easilly fitted with mast up or down. I fitted all three with mast up. I would suggest you get the full kit that includes a new forestay wire.
 
My last two boats had Plastimo. I was happy with both and they proved reasonably trouble free. Get the angle of the reefing line to the drum right. If it is out, it is a common cause of furling problems.
 
Robert Wilson said:
Time has come to replace forestay and jib-furling system and I'm wanting a good, reliable, non-mortgage system.
The Plastimo 810T at circa £700 is within budget. Forestay obviously extra to that.

Any views on the Plastimo, as I can't afford the Harken.

Or any other recommendations.

Much appreciated, as usual,

RW

Boat is a 9m sloop, masthead rig with 135% genoa.
Click to expand...

Harken or Harken
 
You will find that compared to the Plastimo the cheapest Harken(ESP) is about £250more.The others (Sailspar,Facnor,Seldon etc and Harken Mk4 are £1500 -£2000ish for a boat 30/35 ft long.It also depends on the length and diameter of your forestay which determines whether you need extra luff tube and/or fittings.The cost is also variable on whether you have chainplate or turnbuckle fittings at the tack.
I went through this exercise a few months ago and plumped for the Harken ESP as being the best solution for me cost/value wise.
 
I have a Plastimo 809 that I suspect is donkey's years old. I have had it 10 years, and it was old when I got the boat. I have replaced one of the bearings, and it still works smoothly and easily.
 
The "man at Sailspar" could not have been more helpful. It sounds like a first-rate product, reasonably priced and readily available - but they only do single luff-groove, whereas my spec is for twin groove. Bummer.

Facnor have not yet responded to my request for info. I fear they may be in the high-price bracket. Apparently the SD range is now out of production.

More, as and when, for those who may still be interrested!!
 
srm said:
Have a look at the Sailspar continuous line reefing gear. Nice thick rope to pull on and no chance of a foul up on the drum. Fitted one on my previous boat (31 ft Prout cat) and had no problems. Fitted two on my present boat (35 ft + bowsprit, cutter rig, 9 ton dispacement) as wanted to increase diameter of forestays. Have done a few thousand miles with each boat in varying wind strengths without any problems. Two friends who use their boats a lot, cruising for five months or so each year, have also fitted them without problems. They come as a complete kit and are easilly fitted with mast up or down. I fitted all three with mast up. I would suggest you get the full kit that includes a new forestay wire.
Click to expand...

Second that. Fitted sailspar last season excellent piece of gear, and easy to fit, would definitely recommend. very knowledgable staff and very good customer service all round. Also didn't think plastimo were still making reefing gear could be wrong mind.
 
Well, that's it. Boat back in the water. Bank balance totally busted.
I went for the Selden 206 at £1800, including a new 6mm forestay (Selden recommended no need for 8mm as previous???). I know, I know - I said I couldn't afford it but it ticked all the boxes and looks superb. I haven't sailed with it yet so no performance report, yet.

I assembled it myself, having first read through the very comprehensive instruction book (if not a little misleading due to translation to English). I then did a "trial" set-up by laying it out on the ground.
First stage assembly was beside the boat on the hard, then final drum fitting etc on board, on the water. A nervous few minutes on a narrow bow over 5 metres of water. All went well, and about to tune all the rigging.

I'm very proud of my efforts as total novice at this sort of thing.

But I am now broke :(

Boat? B.O.A.T - Bring On Another Thousand £. If only!

Good sailing folks. Cold, wet and breezy up here - after a glorious April and early May.

RW
 
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