Profurl experience

[Erwin Swart]

Hi all,

I am yet looking to replace my main and genoa over the winter for my M31.
Now I am as well looking to replace my Profurl N31 too since I am not realy happy with its performance.

When bought my boat in 2007 I replaced the bearings of the furler and swivel immediately since they were gone (mast wasnt stepped at moment of purchase). After that I have always found issues
- raising sail is very difficult: even using a winch its hard to raise the genoa. As well somebody have to guide the luff in the groove of the extrusion.
So raising a Genua by yourself is impossible.

- reefing the genoa/taking in the genoa under bft 6, 7 or 8 is hardly impossible (even using a winch). Its not happening daily but sometimes you run in these circumstances.

So what's your experience with profurl? Are these issues valid for all Profurl systems?
I have as well some experience with Furlex 200 with is running smoothly.

I have some doubts of Profurl although it seems bullit proof but as well I have some doubts of Furlex where there is more maintenance and is less bullit proof.

Hope you can share your experience

Thanks

 

[Blue Drifter]

Erwin

I have a Profurl system that was already fitted to the boat when I bought it 12 years ago. Never had a problem raising the genoa on my own except once when I forgot to use the pre-feeder:

http://www.profurl.com/fiche-A|PROFURL|preguide-0201040000000000-theme-UK.html

My pre-feeder is slightly different to the one in the link but it is just a variation on a theme.

No major maintenance in that time other than to flush regularly with fresh water (not that difficult in Scotland). It is difficult to furl when there is a significant weight of wind in the sail but easing sheets or changing point of sail sorts the problem, I mainly sail single handed and have been impressed with the system. I do have quite a long furling line, of which a fair bit is not used apart from being wound around the drum, this increases the diameter of the furling drum and I suspect makes furling easier. I would start with a good dry lubricant like Sailcote along the luff groove and on the luff of the sail in order to ease hoisting and to 'luff up' to roll away in high winds. Good luck.

 

[wully1]

I had a Profurl fitted to my last boat when I bought her- 15 years of faultless service from it.

I am now replacing the Furlex system on my present boat with another Profurl - I dont have a lot of experience with any other systems but am very impressed with Profurl..

 

[TQA]

I fitted a Profurl Classic to my Ryton 38. Other than the grub screws working loose on the foil which was easily cured with Loctite it worked flawlessly for 7 years.

 

[wklein]

I would say that furlex is more long lasting (obviously sub jective pros and cons on both) It has stainless steel bearings while profurl have carbon steel bearings sealed in grease which last as long as the seal does.

problems with hoisting might have other causes such as oversize luff tape or halyard problems.