mj81
Member
My rigger is recommending the Profurl C320 furling system. Anybody have one or know of pros and cons?
Profurl
- Thread starter mj81
- Start date
Javelin
Well-known member
You can get good prices for Profurl right now especially from places like Proboat in Burnham.
I like the profurl furler for a number of reasons but mainly because it's not covered in Plastic like 90% of the others.
The sealed bearings work well but they are quite a lot stiffer than open ball races so at first use you can be mistaken that you've done something wrong as it wont spin round freely like a Harken furler.
The spar sections are good quality but you must remember to use thread lock as the little grub screws are prone to work their way out otherwise.
They do come with their own halyard deflector which works reasonably well though it means a trip up the mast to set it correctly.
A benefit is it's easy to rig up without having to drop the mast as long as you use a Sta-lok at the bottom end.
You need to get the lead correct as the drum is not as forgiving or as enclosed as some of the others.
I tend to use 8mm braid on braid but pull the core out for around the 3/4 length of the boat.
I think on balance Profurl are currently the best value for money furlers.
My top five furlers in the UK are - Harken - Facnor - Profurl - Furlex - Plastimo pretty much in that order.
I like the profurl furler for a number of reasons but mainly because it's not covered in Plastic like 90% of the others.
The sealed bearings work well but they are quite a lot stiffer than open ball races so at first use you can be mistaken that you've done something wrong as it wont spin round freely like a Harken furler.
The spar sections are good quality but you must remember to use thread lock as the little grub screws are prone to work their way out otherwise.
They do come with their own halyard deflector which works reasonably well though it means a trip up the mast to set it correctly.
A benefit is it's easy to rig up without having to drop the mast as long as you use a Sta-lok at the bottom end.
You need to get the lead correct as the drum is not as forgiving or as enclosed as some of the others.
I tend to use 8mm braid on braid but pull the core out for around the 3/4 length of the boat.
I think on balance Profurl are currently the best value for money furlers.
My top five furlers in the UK are - Harken - Facnor - Profurl - Furlex - Plastimo pretty much in that order.
Last edited:
KellysEye
Active member
We wanted to change our furler in the Caribbean and I asked a number of riggers which was the best furler and least likely to break, the unanimous answer was Furlex.
geem
Well-known member
We have an old Furlex from the 1990s. We had a problem with it going stiff. I organised for a rigger to strip it with me so we could see what had gone wrong. The grease in the bearing had set solid with the Caribbean heat and salt. Once it was stripped and cleaned and regreased it was as good as new. As an engineer I was impressed with the quality of design and engineering. Very well made.
I asked the rigger about Furlex andhe couldnt praise the kit highly enough. Our other furler is a Profurl. He rated them as well but said working on them was harder due to internal bearings. More fiddly.
Kelpie
Well-known member
I've managed to bust my Profurl lower bearing. Furling line jumped off the drum without me noticing, and the drum got forced upwards. It's now free to slide up and down the forestay. Turns OK but I cannot put any halyard tension on.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
robertj
Active member
When replacing my furler on my previous boat the rigger said look at charter yachts and see what they have. Profurl was the answer. Stiff in operation compared to others as stated on a previous reply, My latest boat I had a new furler fitted 8 years ago and no problems, its bound to break now. Good durable product in my case.
I cant comment on other systems as I've only had profurl, bolt rope and hank on sails.
I cant comment on other systems as I've only had profurl, bolt rope and hank on sails.
Javelin
Well-known member
The bearings are officially non serviceable.
However if you look at the housing opposite each bearing there's a little hole with something bright inside.
This is a tiny ball.
Get this ball out by fair or foul means and you will get access to the bearing lock pin.
Pop the bearing out, give SKF bearings or similar a ring and get another,
reverse the process.
However if you look at the housing opposite each bearing there's a little hole with something bright inside.
This is a tiny ball.
Get this ball out by fair or foul means and you will get access to the bearing lock pin.
Pop the bearing out, give SKF bearings or similar a ring and get another,
reverse the process.
robertj
Active member
great advice there thanks.
wotayottie
New member
Fitted one to my old Prout cat. It was a solidly made piece of kit, but make sure you get one big enough. What matters is the daimeter of the drum. That governs leverage.
