Which Jib Furl?

[michael_w]

Another vote for Harken. The quality is appreciated log after the price has been forgotten. I've had a Furlex fall apart mid-Atlantic. Not fun.

 

[WoodyP]

Sailspar doesn't seem to need anything more than a wash down with fresh water from time to time. I often single hand.

 

[TCpwllheli]

The only furling system I have owned or used is the Sailspar continuous line one, which I would fit without hesitation to any other boat.

I have put in a request with Sailspar to see what they recommend for my boat.

 

[TCpwllheli]

Another vote for Harken. The quality is appreciated log after the price has been forgotten. I've had a Furlex fall apart mid-Atlantic. Not fun.

Thank you. The price of the Harken doesn't scare me if the quality and reliability is there. I'm not planning on going Mid-atlantic anytime soon...but who knows.

 

[TCpwllheli]

Whatever you go for make sure you can either see or easily get to the bearings. The Furlex ones are open so greasing is easy. Once dry the bearings will stick and furling is impossible. I ignored for 5 years on my old boat until one day I had to drop the jib rather than furl! A small amount of grease returned it to working like new in minutes. The roller reefing on the new boat I can’t get to the bearings so no idea what my maintenance plan is yet.

Thank you. I think greasing or the accessibility to grease it may have been part of the problem. Also the furling line crossing and tightening.

 

[johnalison]

I have only had Furlex, on two boats, and never had a problem, possibly because I grease it annually, and the hidden point every other year. I don’t think the idea of applying more and more force is a good one. I don’t have to winch the jib furler in my 34 and I imagine this is somewhat larger than the OP’s. What matters is attention to detail by easing the halyard tension and as far as possible furling downwind with the sail in the lee of the main.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Whatever you go for make sure you can either see or easily get to the bearings. The Furlex ones are open so greasing is easy. Once dry the bearings will stick and furling is impossible. I ignored for 5 years on my old boat until one day I had to drop the jib rather than furl! A small amount of grease returned it to working like new in minutes. The roller reefing on the new boat I can’t get to the bearings so no idea what my maintenance plan is yet.

The Sailspar system does not require lubrication, just a good wash every so often. My was fitted by Colin Jarman around 20 years ago and still - I have just had it apart to replace the forestay - runs beautifully smoothly.

 

[mikegunn]

Thank you. I dug out the instructions for my present jib furl and its a Plastimo - 609 I think. The stiffness has been an ongoing problem with us having tried different blocks and lines to free it and make it easier to furl.
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Mike

Thank you, now I understand your wish to replace old with new. I have Profurl gear on my boat, but only because it was installed by the previous owner. I’ve had to make a few changes to the furling line lead and also removed its core to prevent turns overriding and jamming. That is something that continuous line systems don’t suffer, although line slippage is not entirely unknown. Any installed furling system has to work faultlessly, regardless of sailing conditions. It should also allow a sail to be furled on any boat up to 12 metres or so, by just hauling on the line, without resorting to mechanical aids such as winches or block systems. If my Profurl gives up the ghost, will I replace it with the same? No, like others on this thread, I will endure the temporary pain of cost to ensure the continuous pleasure of using a bit of Harken premium quality equipment.
Mike

 

[Sybarite]

FWIW I have been using a Proengin Profurl without problems for over 30 years.

A lot of French competitors use it.

 

[TCpwllheli]

Thank you, now I understand your wish to replace old with new. I have Profurl gear on my boat, but only because it was installed by the previous owner. I’ve had to make a few changes to the furling line lead and also removed its core to prevent turns overriding and jamming. That is something that continuous line systems don’t suffer, although line slippage is not entirely unknown. Any installed furling system has to work faultlessly, regardless of sailing conditions. It should also allow a sail to be furled on any boat up to 12 metres or so, by just hauling on the line, without resorting to mechanical aids such as winches or block systems. If my Profurl gives up the ghost, will I replace it with the same? No, like others on this thread, I will endure the temporary pain of cost to ensure the continuous pleasure of using a bit of Harken premium quality equipment.
Mike

Thanks Mike. Well I now have three possibilities to consider, the Harken, Selden Furlex and Sailspar. It may end on availability and delivery times. It's a good investment whichever I decide on.