Used Complete Harken MK3 (£100) or New Plastimo 811 Roller Furler

[thesaintlyone]

Oki I cannot decide on what I should get
Been offered a Harken Mk3 Complete with Foils that will fit the Longbow for £150 including personal collection from Lymington or purchasing a new Plastimo 811 Roller Furling best price £599

Dont know enough about headsail furling systems to know if the Harken is any good still or should I play it safe with a new system

Harken was removed because the owner went back to a hanked on system

Any suggestions welcome

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Definitely go with the Harken .

Had it myself.

 

[sailorman]

Definitely go with the Harken .

Had it myself.

as long as no rollpins in the joints

 

[lw395]

Very few people regret buying Harken stuff.
Particularly at that price.
Of course the new Palstimo should be fine and will have a warranty...

 

[PaulRainbow]

IMO, if the Harken is in good condition it's a no brainer.

 

[thesaintlyone]

Was working when removed

Rollpins ??? I know nothing about roller furling systems

 

[macd]

Rollpins ??? I know nothing about roller furling systems

You don't need to: they're found in all sorts of things.
Wiki has a page.
They (roll pins, not Wiki) can be a beggar to drift out if the aluminium has corroded.

 

[thesaintlyone]

You don't need to: they're found in all sorts of things.
Wiki has a page.
They (roll pins, not Wiki) can be a beggar to drift out if the aluminium has corroded.

Where do i find them on the harken so i csn check condition

 

[sailorman]

Where do i find them on the harken so i csn check condition

The Hood Seafurl had them, they hold the sections to the mandrill / connector inside the sections. The sections / mandrill should be locktited together with the roll pins locating the sections in place`, if worn / corroded they migrate out, you then cant lower the sail as the top swivel wont pass over the pins.

My Harken Mk 4 is 17 yrs old & as good as ever

 

[thesaintlyone]

The foil sections are already apart thanks for the confidence boost in the usd harken will be definately going for that. Plus £100 (The extra £50 is fuel to go to lymmington) if there is a problem in a year or so I havent lost to much.

Regards

 

[merlin3688]

As you have said if the Harken only lasted a year its worth using, the Harken along with the Furlex (In my opinion) are the best gears on the market, spare parts are available and you should have little trouble with the.
Having said this we fit many Plastimo's but mainly on boats up to 30ft, again a good cheap gear but cannot compare to a Harken. Clearly with any old furling gear if you do not know the age of the Forestay it should be replaced.

 

[thesaintlyone]

Ill be replacing all standing rigging courtesy of a fellow forumite as soon as I have the mast down.

 

[thesaintlyone]

As you have said if the Harken only lasted a year its worth using, the Harken along with the Furlex (In my opinion) are the best gears on the market, spare parts are available and you should have little trouble with the.
Having said this we fit many Plastimo's but mainly on boats up to 30ft, again a good cheap gear but cannot compare to a Harken. Clearly with any old furling gear if you do not know the age of the Forestay it should be replaced.

Are spares available for the mk3 the seller semms to think not

 

[merlin3688]

http://www.harken.co.uk/productcategory.aspx?taxid=1612