pro furl furlers

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Jun 8, 2004
853
Pearson 26W Marblehead
My CDI furler has failed It wasnt that old rather than fix it I have decided to buy a new furler I have heard about a new model from Pro furl #C290 Its a bout the right size for my boat. does anyone know anything about it. I have to decide between the profurl or a Harken any info would be appreciated
 
Oct 17, 2007
40
- - Washington, DC
I'll be interested to see the responses. I'd like to replace the CDI on our Pearson 303. It is still useable, but has some damage that can't be repaired and seems to get a little worse each season. Anyhow, my biggest concern is that I don't want to have to modify the sail, and I want to be able to use our current forestay, as we replaced all the standing rigging just a couple years ago.
 

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
I have a Harken on one boat and a ProFurl on the other. Both work well but I prefer the Harken as it has open Delrin bearings whereas the Profurl has sealed bearings which may be a problem later in life. My CS36 with the Harken has a big furler drum but Beneteau put the smallest possible Profurl on the boat (393). The line for my 140 headsail takes up all of the drum. If you wanted to put a bigger headsail on the line would not fit on the drum.

As I said both work well, furling without using a winch in all weather. The biggest knock on the Harken is halyard wrap if the sail is not a full hoist (the hoist must be within about 3 inches to the top) but you can get around that by using a pennant at the tack.

I would go with the Harken. They are trouble free and there's nothing to go wrong. Just flush the bearings with fresh water every so often. Have had the Harken for 24 years and the Profurl for eight years. So far so good. :)
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,353
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
We have a ProFurl LCI32, admittedly a much earlier model. When I did my research, I had the same choices. I chose the ProFurl for few reasons: didn't need a halyard restrainer because of Profurl's unique what-I-call "Darth Vader" top halyard swivel arrangement, , didn't need maintenance, had the long link plates option to get the tack of the sail off the deck, and could use my existing forestay (although I did redo the standing rigging at the time I had the ProFurl installed). Almost 10 years later I'm still a very happy skipper. Never had any problems with the equipment. ProFurl, as far as I know, is the ONLY furler manufacturer that allows using a winch on their gear, although I never have felt the need to do so. Their foil is very good and has a great feeder system.

When you do the $$ comparison, don't forget the cost of the halyard restrainer, 'cuz if you don't install one, you'll wish you did, right after you get your first halyard wrap and mess up your forestay.

Happy shopping! :)

PS Whatever you do, yes, check your jib's (or jibs') luff length first.
 

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
When you do the $$ comparison, don't forget the cost of the halyard restrainer, 'cuz if you don't install one, you'll wish you did, right after you get your first halyard wrap and mess up your forestay.

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Never had a halyard restrainer on my Harken. As I said you have to make sure it's a full hoist or use a wire pennant either at the tack or at the head. But Harken users have to be aware of the potential for halyard wrap.

My reason for favouring the Harken is that I have seen more than one cruiser whose Profurl seized up, usually when you're far from a dealer.
 
Jun 8, 2004
853
Pearson 26W Marblehead
What is a halyard restrainer

I have never heard of a halyard restrainer. What is it ? how does it work ?
 
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