Roller furler recommendations

[jeffg]

I have searched this site for this discussion, but most of the recommendations are pretty old at this point.

I have a 1979 P365 Ketch with the original Staystream furling system.  I think it might be about time to replace this 39 year old system.  It works well, but it is also the headstay, and I know these things can't last forever.  In fact, I am looking at replacing all the standing rigging (which is of unknown age, but is over 18 years old).

What do people recommend for a modern roller furler system?

Thanks,
Jeff

[Hooligan]

Jeff, I have used a Pro Furl on three boats and really liked them. They worked very well.  One lasted five years and a circumnavigation. But it did give out and I had to send it back to have it rebuilt. My last four boats all have had Harken furlers and they have worked extremely well. Zero problems. My present boat, Pearson 367 has an older Harken and it is working fine. would go with either one of them but I think I would be leaning a little towards the Harken.

[84westy]

The previous owner of MiSamba had purchased a Bamar C4 furler,  replacement headstay and a 135% Genoa from Mack Sails.  I don't have much experience with the furler yet, but it works much nicer than the two on my previous boats (A Hood and a Harken).  I can easily furl the sail by hand.

[Dale Tanski]

The size of your headsail has a lot to do with how well the furler works.  Furling a 135 vrs a 150 is huge, so don't let that sway your decision.  The weight of the sail and how much it is loaded all play a part in the furlers operation. Blanketing the headsail behind the main on a beam reach is also very helpful. Headstay tension is a big factor as well.  A big sag in the headstay and the best furler won't roll easily.  Excessive headsail halyard tension can also play a part. Furlers with a round extrusion vrs the oblong typical extrusion typically operate much easier.  Round rolls the others go whap whap whap.

We sell, install and service all the major brands and given an opportunity we recommend Harken for the average sailor. For the typical 365 sailor a Harken ESP would be the ticket.

Hope this helps.

Dale
Maruska

[stephandjaysail365]

Hi, jumping on this thread a little late. Curious to hear thoughts on the Furlex? This was a recommendation from our marina.

[Dale Tanski]

In my opinion Furlex is a great furler.  That being said there are many great furlers out there so one has to look above and beyond just the product.  In the case of Furlex (owned by Seldon Spars) finding parts for a Seldon can be an issue.  We have customed machined Seldon gooseneck parts because Seldon no longer lists them. 

We had a transient customer just last year that damaged the lower section of their Furlex while in the Erie Canal.  They contacted Furlex (in France).  Furlex said sure no problem but you must buy through a Furlex dealer so they contacted us as we were going to restep their mast after the canal.  We contacted Furlex and got the rest of the story.  Sure, no problem getting a replacement section but there were none in stock, it was 6 weeks minimum and $1200 for the part and the shipping.  I ended up saving their summer and extended vacation after spending hours straightening the damaged section.  Had the damage been worse they were done.

We have repaired Harken units that are 30 years old.  Parts were discontinued but there are enough of them around that something can be done.  We just sold a foil section for a unit this past Saturday.  The unit has been out of production for over 20 years and parts are scarce but we had used parts. 

Obtaining parts from half way around the world in normal times is difficult, obtaining parts today is far worse.  UK companies do not retain parts the same way companies over here do.  The laws are different.  Here they are required to have replacement parts for 10 years after the items is no longer made.  In the UK not so much.  Lewmar is one such case.  Great product but try and find a replacement part after the production date is finished.  What they do is collect all the spare parts, put the stuff together and sell them off.  Nothing left in the parts bin. 

If you are going to hang onto the boat for a while think longer term.  What is a season worth to you because you can not buy parts.  We have another customer that needed a transmission for a Yanmar.  Yanmar didn't have any.  They scoured high and low looking for a dealer that possibly had on on their shelf.  They ended up ordering one from Yanmar and 20 or so weeks latter it arrived but did not match.  They are on season number two lost because they can't buy a transmission, can't get the parts for a rebuild and a complete new replacement engine and transmission is another year out. 

Even with brand new stuff like say a KIA.  So many stolen that you cant get replacement parts. A product is more than just what is in the box and what it costs.  Too many companies just don't care after the sale. 

Dale 

[Jordan]

I'm replacing my staystream with a Harken MKIV Unit 2. It still works fine for me, but it's too difficult for the Admiral. Scheduled for haul out on 5/7/24.