Replacing roller furler

[John]

The furler on my 1990 35.5 has been diagnosed in need of replacement (more cost efective and over all more efficient than repair). With all the makes and models out there I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion based on experience. We looking at Harken or Profurl but Schaefer has also been mentioned. Looking at newer boats it has been pretty much decided to go with above deck furler versus the below deck we currently have. Any opinion there?Thanx for the input.John

 

[Rodger]

Furler

I lust bought a Hunter 35.5 and hopefully my furler will be OK. Below deck is better for performance anfd since boat is designed for that I would keep that way.I had a 1977 Catalina 30 with Harken above deck and never have had nay yrouble with it. I'd go with Harken.

 

[Steve Dion]

Check out Spin-tec

Rodger:Check out the Spin-tec unit that is sold on this site. Very high quality, good customer service and they are priced right too.PS: I spoke with a rigging shop and they claim that the furlers that you are looking at (Harken, Schafer, Profurl) are good for about 15 years. He sold these 3 and a couple of low end units too. There are owners that get more and other that get less but that is a rule of thumb.

 

[Doug Thom]

Original Replacement Furler

There is a kit available from the original manufacturer which will replace just the bottom portion of the furler. Easy to put on and you can use all the rest of the original assembly. It is not the original loop but a regular foller furler. Mine binds a little at the very end of the release but its not really that much of a problem. Its mounted below deck just like the original.

 

[Glenn Bollin]

Check out CDI Flexible Furling

This company manufactures a simple, inexpensive furling that works. Service and warranty is great. A telephone call was all I needed to get a free upgraded replacement part on a six year old part. Manuals online, worth a visit to the website.

 

[Carl Snyder]

Hood Replacement

Like Doug, I replaced my original Hood continious line system on my 35.5 with the single line kit from Hood. The cost was somewhere around $450.00 and installation took about an hour since you only replace the drum and reuse all the extrusions. I have had no problems with mine and the single line makes reefing much easier.