Profurl luff line diameters

[Chris 249]

I'm sizing up a second-hand sail for a boat with a Profurl, although I'm not sure what model. The manual that came with the boat, which covers C290-C430 and R250-430 models, says that the luff line diameter is 5mm but other sources on the net refer to a 6mm luff line. The sail I'm looking at has a 6mm luff line.

This is a cheap sail I'm interested in buying to see how the boat performs with a 105% overlap, so installing a new luff line would be a waste of money.

Does anyone know whether the 6mm luff line will work?

Thanks

[model 10]

The reason it's confusing is you need a #6 luff tape which is 5mm in dia.

[Chris 249]

Thanks. That sounds like an annoying issue because I think most racing sails of that size have a 6mm luff, so it will be an extra cost and logistical issue when buying second hand. Oh well.

I may measure the luff tape on my other boat's sails and take one down just to see whether an oversize tape can get up the Profurl extrusion with some persuasion (ie lubrication spray and a bit of tugging).

[model 10]

I have a genoa that is a pain to get up our Profurl. A bunch of dry lube really helps. Don't know what size it is but, the next size up maybe?

[SeaBreeze-1]

I have a profurl system on my sailboat. it's a #6 luff tape and have found it to be a little difficult to hoist a sail up it without some dry teflon lube in the track. Found out a couple of years ago that Profurl is noted for having sailtracks that are almost too small. If you try a sail with a tape that is even the slightest bit larger than #6, I seriously doubt that you will be able to hoist it at all.

[Aaarrgh]

If you have a micrometer, you can measure the extrusion luff diameter channel, and the extrusion luff groove width, to make an educated determination. If you don't have a micrometer, I'll bet someone on your pier has one. Or, it may be a worthwhile purchase. I have found my micrometer to be well worth what I paid for it.