New Roller Furler - Your pick?

[AEarnshaw]

Time for our '91 Hunter 30T to have its roller furling rig replaced. Fractional rig, 7/32" diameter 39' length forestay. Used as a coastal cruiser, so no need for the racing (quick sail change) or blue water grade/features of some of the products out there. Dominant options I'm seeing after a morning of internet searching:

• Harken MKIV - Ocean - $1845 - https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=11545|10119|10367&product=66140365&code=Harken%207510%2E31
• Harken ESP - $1500 - Buy Harken 7321.10 ESP Unit 1 Furling in Canada Binnacle.com
• Selden Furlex - $1848 - https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=11545|10119|10457&product=66139853&code=Furlex%20146%2D13TB
• Profurl - New Line Coastal - $1840 - Buy Profurl C290 Furling System Boats in Canada Binnacle.com
• Schaefer - CF 700 - $1600 - https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=11545|10119|10237

In these strange days of the quest for truth, any references to double blind (sailing) trials of these or other choices would be appreciated. Failing that, "Gentlepersons, start your engines opinions!"

 

[dlochner]

We have a Schaeffer. It is robust works well and is simple in design. Ours is a different model because we have a larger boat. I would buy it again.

 

[Dave Groshong]

We'll beat any published price on Harken MKIV or the new Harken Ocean model, or Furlex furlers (Furlex comes with a new forestay)

 

[Stu Jackson]

Do you already have a halyard restrainer? If not, the ProFurl with its built-in wrap stop top swivel (I call it my Darth Vader) could be attractive. I have a 2003 Model LCI 32 on our 34 foot boat, very pleased with it for almost two decades.

 

[DougM]

I have had both a Profurl and a Harken furler. I liked the Profurl for its wrap stop feature. The model number was original equipment to the boat, adequate, but in my opinion somewhat undersized for the boat. I changed to the Harken which was more to my liking and seemed to furl more smoothly, the drum was bigger and the sail fed into the track much more easily.
I believe that if I had replaced a Profurl with another of the same, I would have stepped up one size and been happy. At the time, I just happened to get a better deal on the Harken and was never sorry that I went that route.

 

[jssailem]

My boat came with a ProFurler. It worked. It was beyond its prime. When reworking the mast, I faced this dilemma.
When new:

I can see the ProFurler advantages.

1. Sealed bearings
2. Forestay stopper
3. Sometimes a cost savings.

But when faced with servicing an older model with sealed bearings no longer sealed. No easy way to replace the bearings or derust the races and the stopper had failed I felt the unit’s useful life had expired.

I chose to go with the Harken MKIV. It is smooth functioning. Easy to maintain (soap and water rinse). Sail slides easily through the extrusion Luff slide.

I‘d recommend the Harken.

 

[JRacer]

I have a Selden Furlex and am happy with it.

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

I have had boats with Selden Furlex (100S and 200S) and my current boat has a profurl. In all honesty I don't see that much difference between the two. The Furlex unit comes with snap shackles for the head and tack. The profurl uses a standard pin type shackle. If you only bend on the sail in the spring and take it off in the fall then this doesn't really matter. If you do make sail changes the snap shackle is much easier and faster.

Barry

 

[sail sfbay]

We have a Selden Furlex and is very reliable.