Plastimo Jib Furler - Reliable ???

[andreshs1]

Hi all

I am considering installing a Plastimo Jib furler

Any advice on it??

It seems very cheap compared to other trademarks, which is great. But where is the catch??

Regards
Andres

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by andreshs1

Hi all

I am considering installing a Plastimo Jib furler

Any advice on it??

It seems very cheap compared to other trademarks, which is great. But where is the catch??

Regards
Andres

Might be the best Furler ever but I couldn't get past the name.

Someone in marketing needs to go back to school.

[Pete7]

Andres, you are almost certainly paying for what you get. Just coastal sailing around the islands of Hong Kong then perhaps, anything else then perhaps pay a bit more.

Pete

[barnakiel]

We have the 608 model here.

It is definitely older than 10 years (I bet it is more like 15 y.o., or more). We got it with the boat back in 2003, it was well used by then. The unit is still here and it works OK. It has at least 40000 Nm on it.

We never had the sail jammed or any other such adventures. (Oh yes, we did once - but this was because the skipper is an idiot who left the halyard slack).

I replaced the bearings (in the drum) last year. 1 hour job for a desperate man with a hammer. ;-) Got the bearings from a car store.

So, unless Plastimo modified something in the last 15 years, these are super duper, strong, simple, reliable and inexpensive units.

b.

[andreshs1]

Thanks guys for the advice

Pete7 > yeap, I'll only do coastal sailing, the boat is a small Shipman 28, so no chance of cruising around the world on this one.

Barnakiel> did you ever removed it and fited it back?
I am wondering if I'll be able to install it by myself

Regards
Andres

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by andreshs1

(...) Barnakiel> did you ever removed it and fited it back? I am wondering if I'll be able to install it by myself.

Both installation and removal/refitting are done by the owner. We used a stalok lower terminal to be able to do all job at the dock. The foils are riveted (small rivets, alloy). The drum is held with bolts and nuts.

We removed the furler 3 times by now. We replaced the forestay 2 times - when the boat was 'new' (to us), next time when I (f/ed up) the halyard. Last time I replaced the bearings - opened the drum, etc.. You can download the manual at Plastimo to pre-visualise things.

The only glitch is you must keep the halyard off the foils - the angle being about 30% or so. You can buy a puck spacer that solves the issue or have the halyard outlet lower (impossible in retrofit) or else use an eye boplted to the mast that will give you this angle - all this is common to any furler (I believe) as I seen the pucks on Profurls too and the eyes on Furlexes.

Too me it was downright easy while my technical abilities are limited at best.

If you walk the docks in any big marina you will find boats with all kinds of furlers. Approach the owners and ask. You will get pretty good idea of what the furlers offer or not.

b.

[andreshs1]

Thanks for confirming.

Unfortunately Hong Kong is not that friendly, and on my marina boats are on buoys, no pantoons to walk around.

Cheers
Andres

[barnakiel]

OK. Look around for a dock to tie to for the time of hoisting. Once a furler is in one piece it is a long and relatively bendy foil - difficult to hoist and set up without having a helping hand at the dock side. This applies to any make you buy. The only exception are structural furlers but these can be only all in or all out (at least this was the case I used one last time).

b.

[andreshs1]

Thanks for the tip
I am trying to fing now where to find it here, else I'll ship it.

Cheers
Andres

[barnakiel]

I had good luck searching from twenga uk - probably due to proximity with France. Also svb de used to have OK prices.

Prices vary so hunting makes sense.

b.

[Tynesider]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I had good luck searching from twenga uk - probably due to proximity with France. Also svb de used to have OK prices.

Prices vary so hunting makes sense.

b.

Hi Gents

I have a plastimo 608S and it has been trouble free since I bought it 8 years ago and I sail all year round.

See here for UK prices: Plastimo Headsail Furling - Discount Marine Chandlery and Sailing Equipment. Bargain Boat Spares and Clothing

Hope this helps

[barnakiel]

BTW Maybe using a stud terminal at the lower end will allow for not using a stalock/norseman terminal.

b.

[andreshs1]

Ok, I'll keep thet in mind

Regards