Roller furling Recommendation

[JPhantom]

We need to replace our foiling head stay with a furler. Our head stay is dyneema so that will be replaced as well. I think Schaefer offers a kit with the head stay. What do you all recommend?

Thanks!
S/V Phantom
J/44

[psk125]

We have a Profurl, but for a J/44 Harken is almost de rigeur.

[Pegu Club]

We just helped our rigger install a Schaefer on our Bristol 29.9, we had one on our previous smaller Bristol, they work very well.

Fair winds,

[NYSail]

My last boat I got the Schaffer...... excellent unit, easy to install. I used a mechanical fitting and it worked out great. When time comes I will look at this unit again

Greg

[roverhi]

ProFurl, Harken, Schaeffer seem to have the bulk of the market. ProFurl uses steel bearings which they claim make the unit way better when used to reef a sail under load. The steel bearings can rust if the seals leak but mine is doing fine after more than 12 years. Harken and Schaeffer use plastic bearings which don't corrode but crud up and need to be flushed with freshwater occasionally. Judging by the number, especially Harken, out there, they seen to work fine. Definitely get one with an open drum. A closed drum makes it a bitch to clear an override.

Have a ProFurl on my Pearson 35 and Mark I Harken on the Sabre 28. No issues with either one.

[gmakhs]

I use to have a facnor unit and was berry pleased with it .
Replaced it last year with a ferlex 104s , nice design and the inner turnbuckle allow to adjust the headsail

[beetle]

I went with Schaefer on my N/M 45 as Schaefer specifically mentions using a winch to manage the furling line and Harken specifically disallowed it. Check on current limitations, if any.

Schaefer is heavier than Harken, and uses round extrusions that are easier to roll than the Harken elliptical extrusion. Harken points better than Schaefer when the headsail is completely unfurled.

Both Harken and Schaefer have worked well for me.

- rob

[JPhantom]

Thank you for the replies!
Beetle, our boat is in Sausalito currently, do you have any recommendations for a supplier in SF? I have talked with Pacific Rigging, as they did a pretty major refit in 2016.

Thanks
Nels

[beetle]

I used Svendsen's rig shop in Alameda, they are now owned by Bay Ship and Yacht and I think they call themselves Svendsen's Bay Marine over in Richmond. The rig shop was rather good.

Also check with Scott Easom at Easom Rigging (also in Richmond), he does fabulous work.

If you want to purchase just the furling unit and do your own rigging, a sailmaker can do that for you - you might check with Robin at Hood Sails in Sausalito. Robin is a great fellow to work with, and he will know all the riggers in town at the moment.

- rob

[SailRedemption]

Harken MK IV. Very well made and designed.