Roller reefing - Facnor or Furlex?

[NPMR]

27 foot Sabre. cruising only but shorthanded. Thinking of converting to roller reefing.

Couple of quotes received. Neither suggested Plastimo. If it was your money, which one?

Or another make? Remember we're not at all 'racy'.

 

[Koeketiene]

Harken - had two models of Furlex & both of them were crap

 

[trouville]

Im in the same boat as you! Oh rather not!
If you can aford it profurl it is the best and more than worth the extra, on the other hand plastimo is very good and at the bottem end of the price range. I wouldent touch furlex with a barge pole!

Its ok when its working but then so is plastimo which is better built.

I would say either go for profurl the rollsroyce or furlers as you can fly a genoa on a FB ive plumped for the plastimo as the jibs mostly in or out.

As your not so big the pro frurls not that expensive (but so well made!)

 

[sailorman]

Harken or failing that Harken worth a go

now had a Harken system for 7 seasons no probs @ all /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Malish]

Profurl - excellent construction and fits around a standard forestay (& should be cheaper than Harken)

 

[sailorman]

Harken warranty is 7 years

 

[chrisb]

had furlex last boat. now facnor on forstay.rotostay on inner forstay. rotostay made to measure and much cheaper. all 3 work well

 

[KellysEye]

For cruising, Profurl, you can reef it under load (steel bearings).
Harken, if you race with a full crew and NEVER reef under load ('plastic' bearings break).

 

[trouville]

Profurl lasts for life!And whats the good of a warrenty or garentee when your 20 miles offshore in a F6/7 and the thing jamed?

As moonfire reminded me profurl roller starts on the deck and not halfway up the forstay like furlex for example!! Having to mount it above the bottle screws not on!

(reply to post below)

I cant comment on Harkin rollers i dont know them?But i did think of a harkin swivel and wykham martin rolling gear in or out only!Harkin do make first class equipment!

 

[sailorman]

harken can be as low as you want it to be

 

[Helina]

I have Profurl and it works well.
When the USD is so cheap now Harke might be a very economical puchase today ?

 

[sailorman]

Yer same as Petrol /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Helina]

You mean that otherwise petrol would be even more expensive ? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[michael_w]

Anything rather than a POS furlex. I had 2 fail in 18 months, same faults. Thankfully I sold the boat otherwise I'd be on my third furlex by now.

 

[santeana]

Only have experience of Furlex 200S. I seem to be in a minority but my set-up works beautifully and has been totally reliable.

 

[stevebirch2002]

How about Rotostay

UK Made, good aftersales, reliable and perfect for your boat. Comes as a complete kit and includes a new forestay. Price is good and easy to install. Used on my two Vegas for the last 15 years and never a problem. Just a satisfied user.

 

[Malcb]

Plastimo was on my boat when I boaught it, since then I've had the rigging replaced, but I've still got the Plastimo. It works, that's all I want it to do.

 

[Sybarite]

There is a comparison in this month's PBO.

I've had the same Profurl for 20 years now and it's fine. They're used by a lot of single-handed racers here.

John

 

[john_morris_uk]

[ QUOTE ]
Harken - had two models of Furlex & both of them were crap

[/ QUOTE ]Not sure what went wrong with your Furlex. We have had ours (from new) a couple of years and never a moments problem. I've used Furlex on any number of boats and never had one fail yet. Easy to use and I don't ever have to winch in the furling line. Its well engineered and I can't afford a Harken.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I had Plastimo on a previous (smaller) boat. It was OK after a fashion and was all I could afford at that time. After some five seasons the plastic insert started chipping and cracking.

On my present boat I installed Facnor because they were better engineered than the Plastimo, had twin grooves and the price was fair. Eight years down the line I have no regrets.

Note, however, that I don't race and my boat is in the water all the year round.