Advice for Roller Furler

[symagellan]

We have a cheapo roller furler on our boat and it lasted for about 3500 nm before giving up.

I do not even think about replacing some parts again just to find out, that it lasts for some 3000 nm's more.

We think about buying a new system which is up to its task. The genoa is some 70 m² and the boat is quite heavy - 18 tons.

Do you know of some brands which are known to be reliable or do you have some hints?

Thank you in advance for answering

[sy_gilana]

A poll on most of the round the world racing boats will come up with one name more than any other...."PROFURL" Gets my vote too.

[James S]

Second that on Profurl...

[Cheechako]

Had 3 Profurls and zero problems.

[Weyalan]

Happy with Furlex, for what it is worth

[symagellan]

Thank you all for answering. Is there anybody out who can say anything about Reckmann reefing systems? They are said to be the Rolls Royce of roller furlers (both in price and quality), but i never met anybody who has any experience with them.

[Valkyrie654]

Reckman is a very good product. You usually see them on the high end, large yachts that are built in Europe. The are often powered, but the do make models that use a furling line. Euro marine trading is the US importer. They are very expensive and robust.

We have found that the Schaefer furlers to be very robust. A bit more expensive than Harken, Profurl, or Facnor, but quite good for a cruising boat. Actually just about all of the modern furlers are quite good.

[nhschneider]

Rutea came equipped from the factory with Reckmann furlers on both the headstay and staysail. Both are manual. After about 20 years of service, we had to replace the upper swivel bearing on the headstay furler, other than that, though, they have been trouble free. On the occasion that I had to call the Reckmann factory, they were extremely helpful.

I would love to replace my headstay furler with the Reckmann electric furler but it is stratospherically expensive. Besides, my wife says, furling the headsail is the only exercise I get!

Fair winds and calm seas.

[Rigger119]

Of numerous systems installed and serviced for over 25 years the Selden Furlex gets my vote for the best mix of quality, price, ease of installation and support.

[Celestialsailor]

I have had Harken, Pro-Furl, then Furlex. I did all the assemblies myself, so I'm familiar with the inners. Pro-Furl I liked the most and felt it was the way to go. It's the open drum that allows me to sleep at night.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Had 3 Profurls and zero problems.

Zero problems with my Profurl for 10 years now and its a good thing -- because when I tried to disassemble it last season to inspect it -- not happening without taking it to a machine shop -- most of the screws that hold the furler itself together are securely galvanically welded in place -- lots of bi-metal contact points I noticed.

Maybe I'll try again next year...

[barnakiel]

I cannot recommend Profurl. It gave me more headache than some other brands: e.g. the foil joining screws will come undone even when secured as per manufacturers instructions, the unit will become hard to turn for no obvious reason, etc.. All this on pre-French models, perhaps now they improved.

My personal view on Profurl may be biased as there seem to be so many Profurl units on the boats - no wonder some were made on Friday.

I would try Harken, Facnor.

b.

[Celestialsailor]

I know Profurl recommends red locktite. I know Loctite has a shelf life. Maybe that was the issue wiuth the set screws coming loose.

[barnakiel]

Maybe, but they failed to address it over 25 years or so. Bummer.

b.

[Celestialsailor]

I have not heard of anyone else with the same problem though, so who knows. I can tell you that a lot of the older designs like cruising furler went belly-up when the sail slide seized at the top of the furling track! Time to cut the sail down in a blow...such fun!