Headsail furling

[jrd22]

Hi, I need to decide which jib furling units to install on our new (to us) boat. It's a Brewer 40 PH with a removable inner forestay. Both headsail and staysail are hank on now and I want to install furling units on both. Researching the info. here and elsewhere I hear very good things about the Harken and Schaeffer. I have had a Profurl on another boat for 15 years with no problems so I would have no problem with Profurl either. I am leaning towards the Schaeffer for a couple of reasons, but am wondering if they are really worh the extra cost (app.$800 extra each)? I also have not been able to figure out if I will need to replace the headstay if I go with the Schaeffer, it is only about a year old with swaged fittings.

Thanks for any advice, John

[TomP]

John,

Personally, I will vote against the Profurl. We have had some cruisers pull in with horrid problems. And they are not field repairable. The drum and/or swivel must be sent to a repair facility...then they "test" to their specifications...long grusome story for another time.

You would do well to go with a Harken or a Schaeffer. For your Brewer I would go with a Schaeffer. I think they are more robust...machined aluminum v. the plastic covering on a Harken. Both are completely field repairable and with proper care and feeding, should provide you with many years of service without fail. The Schaeffer is a tad easier to assemble. The Harken MkIV's rely on a split bearing and you assemble the foils with 5200 of all things.
Things to consider though with the forestay is that even though both the Harken MkIV and Schaeffer will use the existing turnbuckle and forestay, the Harken requires a specific Harken toggle...this will lengthen your forestay approx 3-5 inches and costs an extra 60-80 dollars. The Schaeffer too has a toggle link and will also lengthen your forestay, but is part of the system. An easy fix to both is a stalok stud. Depending on how much room you have in the turnbuckle you might be able to dodge that...
With your forestay only a year old, I would say that it should be fine as long as the terminals meet the sepcified od after swage.

Tom

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Yeah, Schaefer, with Harken a fairly close second. As for cost, I have often found that it can be tricky to make sure that all components are included in Profurl's pricing. And even if the Schaefer is spendier, it is worth it.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[jrd22]

Thanks very much, I was leanig towards the Schaeffer, you guys just made it easier to write the check!

Thanks, John