I'm interested in the 410 and was wondering if anyone has any experience/opinion with this model using the Selden in-mast furling system and/or a three bladed Max-Prop.
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Anders, Check out the discussion on the Big Boat Forum titled boom vs. in-mast furling. Posted on 9/10. There are 20 responses that might help you out. Personally I think the in mast furling is a terrible idea on any boat, particularly a Hunter. There are definitely to sides to this argument though. No experience with the Max-Prop, but have looked at the newest Martec feathering prop and I feel it is a better product for less money.
Anders, Check out the discussion on the Big Boat Forum titled boom vs. in-mast furling. Posted on 9/10. There are 20 responses that might help you out. Personally I think the in mast furling is a terrible idea on any boat, particularly a Hunter. There are definitely to sides to this argument though. No experience with the Max-Prop, but have looked at the newest Martec feathering prop and I feel it is a better product for less money.
3-blade Max Prop
Anders: We have the new 3-blade Max prop on our 1999 H410 and have advised other owners to get it. Boat stops on a dime, turns a complete circle inside one boat length, and is highly predictable when backing up and into slips. Adjustments can be made with the boat in the water (unlike the prior model which required the boat to be hauled). We motor at about 2800-2900 RPMs getting 6.5 - 7.5 knots even when towing a dingy and outboard. We do not have a main furling system having seen too many foul when needed (our neighbor has Selden furling on his Beneteau 411 and it's failed several times), and we like the performance of the full roach main. We do have a full dodger/bimini (connected to the arch - bimini can be rolled half way back or removed at the dodger) and opted to go with the UK Sails Lazy Cradle - two pulls on the zipper draw cord is all it takes even with the all the canvas in place. And it's a lot less expensive than the main furler. You'll love the H410 - ours is both a home and a frequent coastal cruiser. She's easy to sail and handle, and has tons of room and comfort amenities. /c s/v Twiliglht
Anders: We have the new 3-blade Max prop on our 1999 H410 and have advised other owners to get it. Boat stops on a dime, turns a complete circle inside one boat length, and is highly predictable when backing up and into slips. Adjustments can be made with the boat in the water (unlike the prior model which required the boat to be hauled). We motor at about 2800-2900 RPMs getting 6.5 - 7.5 knots even when towing a dingy and outboard. We do not have a main furling system having seen too many foul when needed (our neighbor has Selden furling on his Beneteau 411 and it's failed several times), and we like the performance of the full roach main. We do have a full dodger/bimini (connected to the arch - bimini can be rolled half way back or removed at the dodger) and opted to go with the UK Sails Lazy Cradle - two pulls on the zipper draw cord is all it takes even with the all the canvas in place. And it's a lot less expensive than the main furler. You'll love the H410 - ours is both a home and a frequent coastal cruiser. She's easy to sail and handle, and has tons of room and comfort amenities. /c s/v Twiliglht
Furler
Anders, While I don't have a 410, I did outfit my 380 with the Selden system for the mainsail. While I respect the opinions of the folks who worry about the potential for the system to fail, I have been extremely pleased with it. There have been plenty of days that we are not afraid to roll out the main, but would not consider on our 336 with the full batten main because it was too much trouble. I echo the sentiments already expressed regarding the Maxprop, this was one the best purchases we made. Having the ability to back up RIGHT NOW makes getting the boat in and out of the slip relatively easy. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Anders, While I don't have a 410, I did outfit my 380 with the Selden system for the mainsail. While I respect the opinions of the folks who worry about the potential for the system to fail, I have been extremely pleased with it. There have been plenty of days that we are not afraid to roll out the main, but would not consider on our 336 with the full batten main because it was too much trouble. I echo the sentiments already expressed regarding the Maxprop, this was one the best purchases we made. Having the ability to back up RIGHT NOW makes getting the boat in and out of the slip relatively easy. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
seldon furler
I have a seldon furling mast on my 410 and am extremely pleased with it. We've put over 100 sailing days on it, mostly in heavy air (over 18 knots true) and have never had it jam. We did have one failure due to a freak manufacturing defect, but Seldon immediately replaced the entire furling drum mechanism even though the system was no longer in warranty. A word of advice: Seldon masts come with a "RodKicker" rigid boom vang that is designed to be equiped with a gas spring. These springs are almost universally supplied as standard equipment, except through Hunter dealerships. Don't settle for having to purchase/install your own spring later, put it in the contract that you want it included. Also, when commisioning the rig, the inhaul should be spliced as as continuous line, and must be a constant-diameter splice. Seldon can fax your rigger the instructions for doing this if they've never done it before. Otherwise, don't be put off by those who fear new technologies; it's a great rig. There are some compromises, like slightly more weight aloft and a slight reduction in performance due to the inability to carry battens in the mainsail, but for many crusing applications this is a small price to pay for the ability to reef/strike the sail instantly from within the safety of the cockpit. Once you get used to to the proceedure, it will only take you about ten seconds to shorten sail, or maybe fifteen seconds to strike the main completely. It's comforting, if you see a line squaw coming, to know that it's going to take longer to climb into your foulies than it will take to get the main ready for heavy weather. One of the great advantages of this rig, especially when it's used in concert with a furling jib on a fraction rig, as with the 410, is that the boat can be balanced perfectly regardless of wind strenth. You will no longer be limited by two reef points, as with most cruising mains, but will have an infinite number of possibilities. Imagine steering through a gale without struggling with weather helm. Been there, and will always be willing to sacrifice a bit of light-air performance if I ever have to be there again.
I have a seldon furling mast on my 410 and am extremely pleased with it. We've put over 100 sailing days on it, mostly in heavy air (over 18 knots true) and have never had it jam. We did have one failure due to a freak manufacturing defect, but Seldon immediately replaced the entire furling drum mechanism even though the system was no longer in warranty. A word of advice: Seldon masts come with a "RodKicker" rigid boom vang that is designed to be equiped with a gas spring. These springs are almost universally supplied as standard equipment, except through Hunter dealerships. Don't settle for having to purchase/install your own spring later, put it in the contract that you want it included. Also, when commisioning the rig, the inhaul should be spliced as as continuous line, and must be a constant-diameter splice. Seldon can fax your rigger the instructions for doing this if they've never done it before. Otherwise, don't be put off by those who fear new technologies; it's a great rig. There are some compromises, like slightly more weight aloft and a slight reduction in performance due to the inability to carry battens in the mainsail, but for many crusing applications this is a small price to pay for the ability to reef/strike the sail instantly from within the safety of the cockpit. Once you get used to to the proceedure, it will only take you about ten seconds to shorten sail, or maybe fifteen seconds to strike the main completely. It's comforting, if you see a line squaw coming, to know that it's going to take longer to climb into your foulies than it will take to get the main ready for heavy weather. One of the great advantages of this rig, especially when it's used in concert with a furling jib on a fraction rig, as with the 410, is that the boat can be balanced perfectly regardless of wind strenth. You will no longer be limited by two reef points, as with most cruising mains, but will have an infinite number of possibilities. Imagine steering through a gale without struggling with weather helm. Been there, and will always be willing to sacrifice a bit of light-air performance if I ever have to be there again.
I agree with Carol
I have a 450 with MaxProp, Harken Battcars, and a Lazy Cradle. I endorse everything Carol says in her response to you. Make sure you change zincs regularly; replacing or repairing a MaxProp ain't cheap.
I have a 450 with MaxProp, Harken Battcars, and a Lazy Cradle. I endorse everything Carol says in her response to you. Make sure you change zincs regularly; replacing or repairing a MaxProp ain't cheap.
Agree with John
I have a 410 with Selden in-mast furling main and love it. I totally agree with everything John Farnsworth had to say. My wife and I sail at Pensacola and often find ourselves in quickly changing wind conditions. While other boats just sail with their foresail, we zip our main in and out quickly and easily. It's really nice to stay in the cockpit during a squall and reef or furl in seconds! I'd get the full-batten main if racing is your bag, but love the furling system for cruising and daily sailing. We've not had any malfunction in about 90-100 sailing days. The Selden furler can be furled either direction, as opposed to whatever system Beneteau uses which is "unidirectional." We love our 410 and would get one again in a heartbeat!
I have a 410 with Selden in-mast furling main and love it. I totally agree with everything John Farnsworth had to say. My wife and I sail at Pensacola and often find ourselves in quickly changing wind conditions. While other boats just sail with their foresail, we zip our main in and out quickly and easily. It's really nice to stay in the cockpit during a squall and reef or furl in seconds! I'd get the full-batten main if racing is your bag, but love the furling system for cruising and daily sailing. We've not had any malfunction in about 90-100 sailing days. The Selden furler can be furled either direction, as opposed to whatever system Beneteau uses which is "unidirectional." We love our 410 and would get one again in a heartbeat!
Max Prop
We've had our 410 for the first season this year. We don't have a Seldon furler. We looked at the Max prop but opted for an Autoprop instead. The Autoprop is a auto self pitching prop. The increase in all around proformance was incredible. We picked up 1.5 knots in speed at 2000 rpm. The boat will stop on a dime and turn on its keel. It does take a little adjustment to learn to stop the boat properly, since with the self pitching feature, the boat will not slow to less than 2-2.5 knots at an idle and in gear. This is easily compensated for by either putting the engine in neutral, so the prop acts as a drogue, or by a quick thrust to reverse. The acceleration with the autopitching prop is also something to behold.
We've had our 410 for the first season this year. We don't have a Seldon furler. We looked at the Max prop but opted for an Autoprop instead. The Autoprop is a auto self pitching prop. The increase in all around proformance was incredible. We picked up 1.5 knots in speed at 2000 rpm. The boat will stop on a dime and turn on its keel. It does take a little adjustment to learn to stop the boat properly, since with the self pitching feature, the boat will not slow to less than 2-2.5 knots at an idle and in gear. This is easily compensated for by either putting the engine in neutral, so the prop acts as a drogue, or by a quick thrust to reverse. The acceleration with the autopitching prop is also something to behold.
Selden in-mast furling
I really enjoy the in-mast furling system, very easy to handle and can be ajusted to different wind conditions.
I really enjoy the in-mast furling system, very easy to handle and can be ajusted to different wind conditions.
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