The first problem we had was that the unit was not willing to take in a flogging sail. (It worked perfectly at the
dock when setting up and testing on a flat day though). Unfortunately, one cannot ask the wind to abate just because a part of
equipment is great in perfect conditions. Sometimes conditions are less than perfect and then it is that we may be forced to fully rely on the
gear.
The second problem was the unit getting stuck when unfurling in heavy airs - we did get it un-stuck every time (getting stuck was caused by the furling line not being kept tight enough). Now here my comment is that if something is built and advertised (as being meant) to allow a single handed or short handed crew to furl the sail, then it is exactly what it should do. If I need another guy to smoothly operate the furling line then I can just ask them to take the kite down by hand and spare the 2k USD or so spent on the gadget.
Then I used a Profurl (endless line) on a screecher on a 54' cat and we just left the line unattended without any snags. And furling was effortless and clean too (however, note - a creecher was a short luff sail, rigger like a
genoa sail, which made the job the furler very easy).
The Facnor I have used was almost exactly like the Profurl (endless line). Used on a light fast boat with a sprit and a pretty deep genaker. The difference was that it utilised triangle attachments with twin luff lines. This system was the neatest, fastest and easiest of the three. (I believe by now Facnor utilises a low-torsion hi tec line in place of the twin luff ropes).
So, my choices would be Facnor or Profurl for a
racing or an off-shore boat. For a day-cruiser or a boat sailed by more crew any unit would do (but - as said above - if I have more crew, I do not need the furler).
BTW I have also seen more than one Bamar jib furler badly distorted at the drum - so I think proper setting up and tensioning is more critical with Bamar
equipment than it is with some other brands.
b.