Why do Riggers like Profurl?

[pomontherun]

+1 on the prev. post.

I rig in nz, see all the brands mentioned above in need of love. Many problems are instalation based, but a good deal have been abused in some way by the user+electric winch+inattention combination.

 

[PBO]

+1 on the prev. post. I rig in nz, see all the brands mentioned above in need of love. Many problems are instalation based, but a good deal have been abused in some way by the user+electric winch+inattention combination.

Fuck off & welcome to SA

 

[PBO]

IMO Profurl are at the lower end of the furler market, heavy, tight, corrossion loving, difficult to work on...whaa, whaa. That retarded halyard wrap stop! I'd be embarrassed to put that in the kit

Harken, Furlex etc have a better product (depending on the specific application) that is better designed, better made etc

 

[Catalina 36]

So we're making progress and have in hand quotes for a Harken product from a local outfit of acceptable reputation. They actually provided quotes for both the MKIV and Cruising Unit, and quoted both the Unit 1 and Unit 2 since my boat is right on the break point so I could weigh all the options.

So far I've got one opinon from a CS36 owner that a MKIV Unit 1 is fine for my boat and one opinon from a Tartan 37 owner that I should go for the Unit 2. Neither of them cared for the Crusing Unit though there have been a couple of folks suggest I consider it.

From a budget perspective the MKIV Unit 1 would be my perference and I don't think I want to spring for the Unit 2. The Cruising Unit 2 is in the same price point so it comes down to sizing the unit proplerly.

The question now comes down to should I upgrade to the Unit 2 for a C36 TR?

 

[Schnick]

I believe I replied to you on the Catalina 36 mailing list that I have a MkIII Unit 2 on my standard rig Cat. 36. I would not go smaller, particularly with the extra 2' of mast you have. The cruising unit would be fine, but I don't like the round extrusion. If I didn't have the Harken already installed, I'd look at a Bamar as my second choice.

 

[Paprika]

Yeah I'm a cruiser, but a racer at heart, even though you pretty well described me above. Since there is not a huge price differential in the crusing unit and MKIV, I'd opt to pay a bit more and get the extra torlon bb's, free tack, etc, etc.
I looked very closely at Harken (crusing and MKIV) and Furlex at the Annapolis boat show and have read all the comments I could find online from sailors using those brands. If it comes to to doing a self install I'm leaning towards Furlex since it comes with the new forestay and going with Harken if I can get a rigger to quote me what I want vs. what they want to sell.

I had the Harken Mk IV put on the Sabre two years ago and have had no issues. Used a Naptown rigger (Southbound Cruising or something like that, if I remember correctly) at a decent price. PM me if you want to know more - I'd have to dig up the contact info.

 

[Catalina 36]

I believe I replied to you on the Catalina 36 mailing list that I have a MkIII Unit 2 on my standard rig Cat. 36. I would not go smaller, particularly with the extra 2' of mast you have. The cruising unit would be fine, but I don't like the round extrusion. If I didn't have the Harken already installed, I'd look at a Bamar as my second choice.

Thanks. I'm not sure how close the MKIII and MKIV are but assume they are very similar. I suspect most folks would take Harken's recommendation to heart, but I'm analytical by nature so appreciate the addtional data points. That's two folks that have the Unit 2 on similar/same type boat and are satisfied against 1 with a Unit 1 that's also satisfied.

 

[Bryanjb]

Harken is simply a great company. We have one on our boat and it has worked very well. A buddy has one on his C&C 41 that he accidently ground off the end of the extrusion. We payed hell trying to get it back on the extrusion at seasons end, buggering it up in the process. He sent it back to Harken and they refurbed it at no cost. Mind you this is an older boat and certainly the the unit was not warranteed by then but Harken still repaired it at no cost. Gotta tell you, Harken is my gear supplier of choice, period.

 

[Catalina 36]

After much thought, research, consideration of trustworthy riggers my area and analysis of my cash position, I have decided to go with a Profurl LCI 32 for my C36. I really would have liked to go with the Harken MKIV, but just could not rationalize the cost differential given my expected use for this boat. Most Harken owners I talked with and every rigger I requested quotes from, indicated I should use the Harken Unit 2. That was also the first thought that went through my head when I looked at the units at the boat show so, I took that input to heart, and in the final analysis I couldn't rationalize the $1K cost increase over the Profurl. The Harken Unit 1 was in the same price range as the Profurl, but the risk of buying undersize, over rode the attraction of the MKIV's features. I also felt the Profurl would be a better choice in the long run than the Harken Cruising Unit based on input from Harken proponents.

While I expect the Profurl may well have issues with the sealed bearings eventually, it likely won't happen in the near future and if it does the bearings can be replaced. In the mean time, we'll have a furler capable of reefing thats proven rugged and reliable which is more than I can say for the POS Hood unit thats on the boat now. I'm pretty comfortable the Profurl will be more than up to the bay sailing currently on my horizon and the coastal crusing I hope to someday be able to do.

I appreciate the input from the gang of anarchists that took time to share their experience.

 

[Wicpro]

Riggers like Profurl, because they never get come backs on the product. They sell the product, and customer never has a problem. The system is bullet proof. It uses a High Carbon steel bearing, which is sealed. Often people say, oh the seal will fail, and the bearing will rust. True, but no more a problem than the ball bearing in your car wheel, that certainly does far more revolutions in a year than your furler. All you have to ask yourself, is when you are out there in a blow, and you need to get rid of the sail. Would you rather have a plastic bearing (Harken) a stainless Steel bearing (Furlex) (As we all know, stainless steel is no bearing material. who has ever screwed up a Noresman fitting... Stainless steel on stainless steel is a very bad idea. )

Just look at the big charter companies, look at what brand of furler they choose. much like rental cars, the equipment gets hammered. (probaly even more so)

 

[Kestrahl]

Riggers like Profurl, because they never get come backs on the product. They sell the product, and customer never has a problem. The system is bullet proof. It uses a High Carbon steel bearing, which is sealed. Often people say, oh the seal will fail, and the bearing will rust. True, but no more a problem than the ball bearing in your car wheel, that certainly does far more revolutions in a year than your furler. All you have to ask yourself, is when you are out there in a blow, and you need to get rid of the sail. Would you rather have a plastic bearing (Harken) a stainless Steel bearing (Furlex) (As we all know, stainless steel is no bearing material. who has ever screwed up a Noresman fitting... Stainless steel on stainless steel is a very bad idea. )
Just look at the big charter companies, look at what brand of furler they choose. much like rental cars, the equipment gets hammered. (probaly even more so)

I've had the same luff tape issues with profurl. #5 is to small #6 is to big. Furlex is #1 Reefrite #2