Which Furler

[CampDavid]

Over the past twenty years I have had two Schafer and two Profurl head sail furlers.

I am looking to replace an older Pro Furl Basic 35 used by Beneteau on many boats on the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

The head stay is 7/16” and pins are 3/4”. Boat length is 46 feet.

The quality of the Harken Mk III has great. Of course that is older stuff now.

Prices range from Harken Esp to Schafer and Harken Mk IV

One could spend a lot of money.

Given that the use would be Florida to the Bahamas what Furler system offers the best value? Most systems have moved toward a similar proven design however each has its own unique design. Schafer would be a great unit. Pricey imho.

I did like the Profurl NI series with an adjustable turn buckle.

I wish I could find a new Harken Mark iii. I liked that design. Very robust.

Thanks

Opinion no wars please [emoji3]

[belizesailor]

I replaced my tired old Profurl with a Harken ESP last year. I was a bit skeptical, but it got good reviews from end customers and riggers I know who've installed them.

It is a basic simple simple furler with only a single track.

The extrusion cross section is round and rather large diameter. Which is different, but does seem to help with furling as was Harken's stated intent.

Ive been pleased with it so far.

Only negative is that the method of connecting the extrusions together is rather fiddly...seems like that could easily be improved. But thats only a negative during installation.

It is a way better design in terms of bi-metal corrossion than the Profurl...mine was pretty well galvanically welded into a single chunk of metal.

[SailRedemption]

We have a Harken MK IV unit 3 on our Kaufman 47 cutter. We have 1/2" wire underneath. The Harken is a nice model and does its job well for our 560ft2 yankee. I wish we had a unit 2 for our staysail but I picked up a Arco Hutton furler for a good bargain. You'll find a lot of praise for the Harkens and very few problems on the net, one of the reasons I got it. Second was the face that every time I have called Harken, I speak to someone who explains to me what I needed to know. Great customer service. Most of our hardware on Redemption is Harken, including the mainsail Battcar track and slides. That just make great gear for reasonable prices.

So, there you have my vote. Go Harken and go sailing.

[Wavehiker]

For the last 32 years I have had Profurl on 3 boats and never had a problem. I vote Profurl.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Wavehiker

For the last 32 years I have had Profurl on 3 boats and never had a problem. I vote Profurl.

Never had a problem with my 18 year old ProFurl either until the last season when it just started to stick a little. Started to rebuild, encountered lots of glavanic corrossion (there are many points of bi-metal contact in the Profurl). I could work around that, but then a machine shop irreparably damaged the swivel. ProFurl wanted $800 just for the swivel. Given the age and condition of the old ProFurl that made no sense...so it was time for a new furler.

[Tetepare]

I love my Harken mk3. Always hated the profurl it replaced. You like the Harken buy it and you won’t regret it.

[CampDavid]

Would a Harken ESP handle a 670 sq ft sail on a 7/16 wire the boat is 46 in length. Wonder if a 3 is better. Just does not handle the 7/16 wire

[SailRedemption]

Originally Posted by CampDavid

Would a Harken ESP handle a 670 sq ft sail on a 7/16 wire the boat is 46 in length. Wonder if a 3 is better. Just does not handle the 7/16 wire

Not sure, I don't have my Harken catalog with me. But, like I said, call Harken and they will tell you which would be better. My vote would be the mk3. If I remember correctly, it has some features the ESP doesn't.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by CampDavid

Would a Harken ESP handle a 670 sq ft sail on a 7/16 wire the boat is 46 in length. Wonder if a 3 is better. Just does not handle the 7/16 wire

There are 3 models of ESP for different wire sizes/lengths. Link to ESP selection guide below:


https://www.dropbox.com/s/rosn6nz5a5...rling.pdf?dl=0

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SailRedemption

Not sure, I don't have my Harken catalog with me. But, like I said, call Harken and they will tell you which would be better. My vote would be the mk3. If I remember correctly, it has some features the ESP doesn't.

Yes, the ESP is just a basic furler with a single track. If you want dual track for example, then you have to go to the Mk3...at a substantial cost increase.

[SailRedemption]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Yes, the ESP is just a basic furler with a single track. If you want dual track for example, then you have to go to the Mk3...at a substantial cost increase.

https://www.harken.com/article.aspx?id=19618

Has a bunch of good stuff to read about the ESP and mk4.

[SailRedemption]

Originally Posted by SailRedemption

Not sure, I don't have my Harken catalog with me. But, like I said, call Harken and they will tell you which would be better. My vote would be the mk3. If I remember correctly, it has some features the ESP doesn't.

I meant to put MKIV.

[CAELESTIS]

I have had two N52 Profurls. The second one lasted less than ten years. It was so stiff to turn, I had to use a winch to get the sail in or out.

Now I have a Harken MkIV. It is a magnificent furler!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SailRedemption

https://www.harken.com/article.aspx?id=19618

Has a bunch of good stuff to read about the ESP and mk4.

Oops, should have said Mk4, not 3.

One thing I really wish they did on the ESP was design a way to access a turnbuckle thru the wall of the furling spool. The ID of the spool is plenty big to accomodate a turnbuckle, but no way to access it. To add a turnbuckle you have to add a leg extension kit, which of course necessitates other changes.

[roverhi]

One of the differences between the Harken ESP and Mark IV furler is the upper swivel. Literature says the ESP is fixed while the Mark IV allows different sail shape but no information on the actual difference/benefits of the upper swivels. Don't see how there could be a difference as the swivel has to go up and down with the sail. Anyone know what the difference really is??