Plastimo 609s

[Sniper]

The spec suggests that this unit is suitable for boats up to 30' in length. Does anyone have experience of this furler at the upper end of the spec range? The next unit up is another £200 or so.

My boat is 28' and with a relatively modest mast head rig. My sailing excursions are relatively modest - day sailing and coastal weekends, so I probably can't justify the expense of a pro furl or furlex at double the price.

TIA

 

[VicS]

The spec suggests that this unit is suitable for boats up to 30' in length. Does anyone have experience of this furler at the upper end of the spec range? The next unit up is another £200 or so.

My boat is 28' and with a relatively modest mast head rig. My sailing excursions are relatively modest - day sailing and coastal weekends, so I probably can't justify the expense of a pro furl or furlex at double the price.

TIA

If they say it is suitable for 30 ft then it should be fine on 28ft. Perhaps choose the 811s if the boat is heavy or if you will use a big overlapping genoa. Max for the 609s is 25m²

Make sure you know the difference between the "chainplate" version ( with 5 hole link plates) and the "turnbuckle" version ( with 11 hole link plates) .. ITYWF that the latter fits over the existing forestay and bottle screw whereas the the former, IIRC, will need a new forestay and fits without a bottle screw.
Worth reading the installations instructions before buying and talking to an agent about the options .......... If you look around you'll find some ghastly lashups caused by people trying to fit the wrong type or completely ignoring the instructions.
Also check the length of foil supplied against the forestay length. Occasionally people find the standard length of foil sections supplied is not enough for their rig... then they have all the hassle of buying an extra section just when they think they are all set to install it.

If you will have the mast down its probably worth fitting the mast mounted halyard diverter rather than the diverter wheel

 

[Sniper]

Thanks Vic; sound advice as always. I need to calculate how big the Twister Genoa is, although I plan to buy a new one with the reefing gear so I could make sure it was within the limit. It may turn out to be worth paying the extra for a bit more 'oomph' in the furling gear.

 

[merlin3688]

Vic's point about the length is important, we fit many to boats up to 30' but nearly always the standard foil length is to short, additional foils are cheap but a pain if you find out not long enough when you are trying to fit! Very easy gear to assemble.

 

[Sniper]

Thanks for that Craig. Is your experience that the gear is good enough when used within its stated parameters?

 

[merlin3688]

Yes the Plastimo is good enough, the one thing I like about Plastimo is that parts are still available even if your furling gear is old, some other makes change the design and you have to buy a new assembly if parts fail. One company in particular has just stopped making spares so one of my customers has had to buy a complete new gear. Furlex and Harken are also good gears with good dealer net works but as has been mentioned double the price.

 

[PeteCooper]

My previous boat had Plastimo furling gear and in the 15 years I had her it never let me down once. I also sailed a boat fitted with Furlex, and checked over by professional riggers and that did let me down a few times. If I were purchasing furling gear I would fit Plastimo rather than Furlex.