To replace or not to Replace, that is the question

[Old Sailor 2]

Hee is another chance for you folks to educate me. On my 1992 Hunter Passage 42 I have an old Hood head sail furler. It isn't a reefing unit also, just a furler. When I bought the boat a year ago the surveyor said I would be well off replacing that Hood unit since parts are almost impossible to find and the unit is not for cruising per se but just for furling at the end of a sail. Since then on an ocassion or two when furling in a slight breeze I have gotten the jib in about half way and then the "clutch" gives way and the jib is out at full. Ultimately I ws able to furl all the way and into the slip we go.

I have been pondering replacing that unit and have looked a Harken Mark IV which is outstanding, I have read about ProFurl and Furlex and they are equally nice but the rigger thinks Harken has better customer service. I would love a below deck furler as I currently have but can't justify the additional $.

So can you folks with much more experience than I help me on the replace question first (replace or not until Hood breaks down) and then advise on Harken vs other furlers. I know this is a well exercised subject but can you help me think this through??

 

[Stu Jackson]

Given your description, replacement is warranted. You have a big boat that needs a quality system for safety, if nothing else. Is your old Hood one of those double line jobs?

Harken, ProFurl - it's an endless discussion. People who have each love them. I like my ProFurl because it has the Darth Vader halyard restrainer built in so you don't need a separate halyard restrainer on the mast.

Your rigger's concern about service from the manufacturer is, well, pretty groundless as a reason for choice. They've both been making these units for so long that they pretty much have them down. Install it properly and you should never have any reason to go back to the manufacturer.

Your boat, your wallet, your choice.

A below deck furler will get your jib foot down to the deck, thus eliminating almost all forward visibility. Unless you're a racer, don't sweat it, and raise the tack as high as you can. For your own safety.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Thanks STu. Great advice as always. Yep, double line Hood. I wonder why it is double line also. only one is ever used. Ah the curious mind.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Could be they used that design to keep their brother-in-law in business, he was a line splicer! Only one is ever used going one way, then the other the other. They simply chose not to use a drum. Why? Dunno. Our C34 skippers had many of them and mostly hated 'em. There was an upgrade available from Hood a decade ago, but that's run out.

Happy Hunting.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Yea, those line splicin' brothers-in-law. I am thinking it is most advantageous to have a furler that can also reef. Of course the alternative would be to totally furl the jib and run on a reefed main if caught in a blow but the flexibiity and safety as you suggest is certainly worth the dollars.

Tell me about your ProFurl and the Darth Vador halyard dealy thing. Better than the harken? And the sealed bearings don't need any attention, even hosing down, right?

 

[Alan]

Like Stu I have and love a ProFurl system. It is a below deck unit and works flawlessly. All my headsails are deck sweepers but visibility is almost never an issue. Ducking out to leeward is simple enough when you're on a beat. I use mine both for furling in cruise mode and as a foil in race mode with twin halyards for headsail changes on the fly.
There's no getting away with the price, they do run about 2 grand but worth every dollar. If you're considering a new system be sure to use a brand new headstay. Many skippers make the mistake of waiting too long before replacing that vital stay.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Tell me about your ProFurl and the Darth Vador halyard dealy thing. Better than the harken? And the sealed bearings don't need any attention, even hosing down, right?

It's not so much better as simply different. I like the fact that I didn't have to install another sheave (on the halyard restrainer) at the top of my mast. Just something else to go wrong...or deteriorate.

If you want to learn more about it, just please read the ProFurl website, they'll give you more info and with pictures.

Right, never had an issue, the bearings are sealed, I just wash the lower open drum when I return from sailing and wipe the top swivel off with rag when i change headsails. Nifty sail luff tape feeder system, too.

 

[Old Sailor 2]

Thanks once again. And Alan you are right, although my standing rigging has been change it is cheap insurance to change the forestay to be certain. Esepcially when buying a PO boat when you don't know exactly when the PO changed everything out.

I appreciate all the advice. I will keep you posted.