Schaefer CF700 vs Harken MKIV 0

[fiatracer163]

Can I get some feedback from others on what roller furling to buy?

Schaefer CF700 snapfurl

Or

Harken MKIV 0

Will be installed on a Catalina 27.

Somebody please help me decide.

[Faster]

The Harken MkIV is a nice piece of engineering.. how do the prices compare? It's generally pretty hard to beat Harken for reliability, but they are usually a bit more money.

[celenoglu]

You will notfind too many sailors who tested both. I vote for Harken.

[overbored]

Facnor Flat Deck Furler. worth the extra money. watch out for the Harken parts that they don't tell you about. like the $180 toggle that you will need to make it work. the decision is sometimes made by which one will fit your existing rigging with the least expensive mods and extra parts

[Rockter]

Fiat :

I cannot compare the two items you discuss, but my Sheaffer on my olde Union Polaris 36 is still going string without the slightest problem after 19 years.

No trouble at all, really.

No spare parts needed, as yet.

The paint and logos have come off it, but that's about it.

[knothead]

There are lots of companies making flexible furlers these days. From my experience they all live up to their claims. I would be more concerned with price.
CDI utilizes an internal/self contained halyard. While it's somewhat more troublesome, it alleviates the possibility of halyard wrap.
Hood's Sea Flex is another system to consider.

When it comes to furlers, they are like cars. They all will get you where you are going and at pretty much the same speed.

The most important part of furler installation is making sure that you don't ever have to worry about halyard wrap. Which means installing a halyard restrainer if necessary. (and it usually is). Making sure that the furling line leads exactly 90 degrees from the drum so that you don't get over rides or buildups on the drum. Making sure that you don't over tension the halyard. Especially on the small, flexible system with the plastic parts. And lastly making sure that you operate the system properly. Keeping tension on the furling line when it winds up and the sheets when you furl.

Most people are happy with their choices of furlers if they have been installed correctly and they know how to use them.
If they have problems with the use of the furler, no matter if the cause is bad installation or improper use, they will hate whichever brand they choose.

[chef2sail]

I installed a harken IV-2 3 years ago. Great piece of equipment. Agree whole heartedly about the halyard restrainer knot head mentioned.

Dave

[fiatracer163]

Is there a major difference between a flexible foil and a solid aluminum foil, as far as performance goes? I think I'm going to go with the snap furl from Schaefer with a PVC foil unless there is a real advantage to spend the extra money for the Harken with a aluminum foil.