Profurl Vs. Schaefer Furling Gear

[seawolf]

I am getting ready to re-rig my old 1962 Columbia 29 with a rollerfooling-snarling gear.
I have been looking at both systems mentioned in the title. I am a do-it-yourselfer and would like to know if there are any reasons one system would rate better than the other. I am hoping the boat will see some offshore cruising in the future. I will also be increasing my 1x19 3/16" to 7/32" wire along with sta-loks. I will be rigging in the slip with the mast in place.
Any tips on the gear and procedure would be helpful.
I am new to the forum, and I am already learning a lot through past threads.
Great forum!
Happy sailing.
Seawolf

[osteoderm]

I have never used, installed, or serviced a Shaefer furler, but will still confidently recommend one over any Profurl. I have two sailing days on my new Profurl, and am already set to throw it away as soon as I am able. Profurl hell indeed; the only thing it has managed to do a good job of winding up is my halyard and my patience.
Granted, I have a less than ideal install, with the halyard exit very much inline with the headstay, but that black "anti-wrap" puck aloft has done nothing more than slide around and mercilessly chafe anything/everything that gets near it.
At least I won't have to learn to love the green anodizing; it's all corroding and powdering up nicely already, just a few weeks installed...

[seawolf]

Osteo,
That is very suprising as I thought that profurl was a very well made product. I have seen it on many cruising boats and very popular on charter fleets where much abuse is taken.
Iam sorry you have had such bad luck with your system, but this is the kind of input I am looking for. Now for the other side. Is there anyone out there that swears by their profurl system?
Bob

[Jim Fulton]

One reason I chose the Profurl was the positive wrapstop feature. With one exception, the whole system has been trouble-free for the eight years I've had it (although it has received less use than I had wished). The one problem was a set screw in the halyard swivel (I don't remember what it sets) that worked its way through the swivel body and jammed between the swivel body and the foil. I had to pull the mast for rewiring that year anyway which was a good thing, because I couldn't have fixed it otherwise. I replaced the errant set screw with a machine screw cut to length that is doing just fine.

As I recall, the current line of Schaefer furlers was relatively new when I got the Profurl, and the rigger I was dealing with didn't know much about them. Overall, I still like the Profurl but, if I had to replace it, I would look very carefully at the Schaefer.

Jim Fulton

[seawolf]

Brian,
It sounds as if the profurl design is a little outdated, and as you say, possibly poorly done from the start. I read of your problems in the archive articles. I will take a look at the furlex as I have not researched that brand.
What do you feel are the attributes to this system over others?
Bob

[Brian Duff]

it depends on your intended use.

for high halyard loads or real heavy use , the furlex halyard swivel design provides a more smooth turning furler by pressing the loads inside the edge of the bearing race, allowing all bearings to help out, instead of just the ones on the loaded area. also the bearing are stainless steel which will remain round longer than the plastic balls in some other units (thats profurls argument for the hardened steel bearings they use) . granted, the stainless steel bearing need to be kept greased to work well. furlex also provides a 'one turn' tack swivel for even better reefed shape.

another benefit of the furlex design is the that joint extrusions are held together with an aluminum tab that has two raised bosses to engage each extrusion, so no dissimiliar metals or chance for fasteners to back out. all in all they have done a good job to isolate dissimilar metals, or use similiar metals where possible

another benifit of the furlex is the plastic bushings that are lining the forestay the entire length without any vertical seams in them. good stuff.

I sound like a selden salesman here -

the harken cruising esp is your best value right now , if quality for $$ and basic general functions are your requirements. go with the furlex if you need the ultimate furler. umm, I do not have expirience with any other than the Harken, Schaefer, Hood, Goiot, Facnor, Profurl, Furlex and CDI brand furlers, so cant make recommendations outside those (I know reckman is reputed to make a good furler, as is bamar )