Which Furler?

sdinger · #1 03-07-2012

Hey, I'm new at this so bear with me. Can anyone give me some feedback?

I recently purchased a Sonar 23 to use as a day sailor. I want to add roller furling. The U.S. Sonar distributor recommended the Harken 00 as this is primarily a racing boat. A local rigger is a rep for Furlex and also offered this as an alternative at a much lower price. Any one out there have the small Furlex 50 series on their boat? Anyone have any thoughts? Is there the added value and performance in the Harken gear to justify a large difference in price?

Any comments at all will be appreciated.

CalebD · #2 03-07-2012

We had a Harken RF on our boat and it performed nicely.
We now have the Furlex 100 unit on our boat and I might even like it a bit better. It may work better because we got a new jib with it with foam sewed into the luff which makes it shape nicely as it starts rolling up. Sometimes we race in strong winds when it is helpful to be able to dial in a smaller jib.
If you want to look at the least expensive option then consider the CDI series furlers. I don't think the CDI would be as good as a Furlex or Harken but is worth looking around.
I have sailed on a friends Sonar. Nice boat.

sdinger · #3 03-07-2012

Thanks, that helps a lot. Tartan also a sweet boat.

PaulinVictoria · #4 03-07-2012

Alado get some good reviews too, and are well priced.

sailingfool · #5 03-08-2012

I lived with a FUrlex unit for ten years and it was never a bit of trouble, working flawlessly.

I am surprised you can get a Furlex for less than Harken,...I always thought the Furlex was the most expensive of furlers, and worht it.

sdinger · #6 03-09-2012

Ok, going with the Furlex. He did mention a slightly used Harken for about the same price. Which Furler is superior?

Brent Swain · #7 03-09-2012

I built my own, the one in my book , for around $80, 27 years ago. No problems since. Only one moving part, once the sail is up.

CalebD · #8 03-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdinger

Ok, going with the Furlex. He did mention a slightly used Harken for about the same price. Which Furler is superior?

Probably the new one with less wear on it.
All the top brands of RF's are quite good and have a loyal following (for the most part) among their owners. They all have engineered some way of making their units 'reef' a sail.
The Furlex 100 unit I have allows the foil to wrap one full revolution of sail before the upper and lower unit start to actually roll up the sail. This pulls in the 'belly' of the sail in a bit and helps with the partially furled sail shape - should be the same with the Furlex 50 unit. I think most of the better makers have some method of achieving an acceptable sail shape when partially furled. Try engineering that into your home made furler for $80 or less.
As I intimated before though, you will get the best performance with a RF unit if your head sail has a length of foam sewn into the luff.