Plastimo vs Furlex 050 Roller Furling Oppinions Please

[thesaintlyone]

Looking at Roller Furling Systems for a Westerly Longbow 31 and have noticed the plastimo 811 and Furlex 050 systems are quite similarly priced around £600 What would be the better system any oppinions greatly appreciated

Regards ?

 

[bitbaltic]

A Longbow is too big for a Furlex 50s. My guess is you are looking at a 204s for a relatively heavy 31 footer. More info here: http://www.seldenmast.com/en/products/furlex_jib_furling_and_reefing_systems.html

 

[thesaintlyone]

Thanks bitbaltic couldnt see any reference to boat sizes.

 

[thesaintlyone]

So Im presuming the plastimo 811 is the cheapest / easiest to fit option on the market or is there any other's

 

[bitbaltic]

So Im presuming the plastimo 811 is the cheapest / easiest to fit option on the market or is there any other's

I certainly expect it to be the cheapest. Make sure it will handle the load of whatever headsail you plan to fly (and check things like luff rope diameter to be sure your existing/proposed headsail will fit the foil). Some tips on this thread: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?397644-Plastimo-Roller-Furling

The main options on the market besides the Plastimo (and excluding more niche brands like Profurl and Ronstan- bit out of place on a Longbow) are Facnor, Harken and Furlex/Selden (in that order IMHO). Having had a Facnor on the boat originally I would not buy one personally as the top swivels have a bad failure rate at about 10 years old. Nevertheless: http://www.facnor.com/uk/products/headsail_furlers/furl__reefing_system/default.asp I have not heard any bad reports about the Harken system: http://www.harken.com/furling/ but have no experience with it. You will have complete peace of mind with a Furlex- we have one and it's brilliant- but it is going to be 2-3 times the price of the plastimo for your boat. People seem happy with the performance of the Plastimo so if the specs suit the boat it would seem a good choice. Do the research to be sure though.

 

[Javelin]

Don't over look the Pro-furl.
I costed up for a furler a couple of weeks ago.
Plastimo (Bainbridge) were the cheapest but in my opinion they're not very reliable after a couple of seasons.
I think I've replaced five plastimo furlers in the last couple of years.

Furlex and Pro-furl were next on price and I think the Profurl is a much better product than the Furlex.

Facnor are more expensive but are very good.
I have a Harken on my boat and its brill but its the most expensive.

There are lots of others around but I've not had much experience of them in the yard.
Try going through your local yard as they will probably get 20 to 25% off at trade.
Failing that give Pro-boat a call in Burnham.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Don't overlook Sailspar.... Continuous line is brilliant

 

[pvb]

Don't overlook Sailspar.... Continuous line is brilliant

Are they still making the headsail furling? They went into liquidation a while ago.

 

[merlin3688]

Important information
Sail-Spar Ltd went into liquidation on 27th April 2016.

Sailspar Engineering Ltd has bought the business and is continuing to trade from the same location to proudly serve Sailspars' loyal customers.

Pending more formal communication infrastructure, please contact Sailspar Engineering Ltd by telephoning 01206 648 900.

For any matters regarding Sail-Spar Ltd in liquidation, please call Becca Smith on 01603 624181.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Don't overlook Sailspar.... Continuous line is brilliant

Sailspar is good - I had one on my previous boat, but do fit a Clutch on the pulling in side, it saves you having to cleat it when you've got to your desired furling position, I fitted a Rutgerson clutch which at the time was the only clutch that you could remove the side and insert an endless line - I believe Spinlock do a version now. I prefer a Lewmar clutch as they pull in very easily but it would have to be fitted to the line before splicing and probably fitted to a piece of wood/plastic as the securing screws may be difficult to fit afterwards.

 

[jwilson]

snipped - Having had a Facnor on the boat originally I would not buy one personally as the top swivels have a bad failure rate at about 10 years old.

Agreed - first the top swivel and then the bottom main drum assembly of my Facnor expired with bearing failure at about 7-8 years - and the agents said the bearings were non-replaceable. I only wish both failures had been simultaneous, rather than 9 months apart, as I could have chosen to replace the whole **** thing with a Furlex or Profurl, rather than buy two very expensive Facnor replacement parts plus two lots of rigging charges. Seized bearings wreck forestays.....