Furling & Luff Systems
Furling and Luff Systems
Section titled “Furling and Luff Systems”Comprehensive specifications for headsail luff attachment methods and furling systems.
Luff Attachment Systems
Section titled “Luff Attachment Systems”System Types Overview
Section titled “System Types Overview”| Type | Application | Compatibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt Rope | Furling foil groove | Furling systems | Performance, clean luff |
| Luff Tape | Furling foil groove | Furling systems | Standard cruising furling |
| Hank-On | Forestay wire/rod | Traditional/backup | Offshore, traditional sailing, backup system |
Luff Rope System (Furling Sails)
Section titled “Luff Rope System (Furling Sails)”Luff Rope Specifications
Section titled “Luff Rope Specifications”Headsail luff tapes follow the same global standards as mainsail bolt ropes. Refer to Luff Tapes & Ropes for details on:
- Dacron Tape Series (#4D - #10D)
- Kador Tape Series (K4.5 - K7.5)
Hank-On System
Section titled “Hank-On System”Hank Attachment
Section titled “Hank Attachment”Traditional clips that attach headsail luff directly to forestay wire or rod.
Hank Spacing:
- Typical: 400-600mm (16-24 inches) apart
- Closer spacing: Heavy weather sails or larger boats
- Application: Traditional sailing, offshore backup, racing (optimal sail shape)
Hank Specifications
Section titled “Hank Specifications”Traditional Bronze Jib Hanks
Section titled “Traditional Bronze Jib Hanks”| Brand | Material | Sizes | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichard | Cast bronze | Various | Traditional hank-on headsails |
| Generic | Bronze/SS | 65-120mm | Offshore, traditional cruising |
Features:
- Simple, reliable clip mechanism
- No moving parts (high reliability)
- Heavier than snap shackles
- Preferred for offshore/traditional sailing
Furling System Brands & Models
Section titled “Furling System Brands & Models”Profurl C-Series (Cruising)
Section titled “Profurl C-Series (Cruising)”Design Focus: Reliability, toughness, longevity for coastal/blue water cruising
| Model | Boat Length | Max Forestay Ø (Wire) | Max Forestay Ø (Rod) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C260 | 16-22ft (5-7m) | 5mm | - | Small cruising |
| C290 | 22-31ft (7-9m) | 6.35mm | Rod 10 | Standard cruising |
| C320 | 32-39ft (9.5-12m) | 7mm | Rod 17 (8mm) | Mid-size cruising |
| C350 | 37-42ft (11.5-13.5m) | 8mm | Rod 17 (10mm) | Larger cruising |
| C420 | 42-45ft (13-15m) | 10mm | Rod 22 (12.7mm) | Large yachts |
| C430 | 45-60ft (14-16m) | - | Rod 40 (12.7mm) | Superyachts |
| C480 | 52-65ft (14.5-18.5m) | - | Rod 48 (14.3mm) | Large superyachts |
| C520 | 56-65ft (16.5-18.5m) | 16mm | Rod 60 (19mm) | Extra-large yachts |
| C530 | 65-85ft (18.5-26m) | - | Rod 76 (19mm) | Mega yachts |
Key Features:
- Sealed ball bearings (100 C6 carbon steel, grease bath, double-lip seals)
- Round silver-anodized aluminum extrusions (high torsional resistance)
- UV-resistant plastic drum (removable for twin-groove racing)
- Wrapstop® halyard wrap prevention (patented, screws onto forestay top)
- Practical feeder (easy single-person hoisting, tool-free removal)
- 10-year worldwide warranty
Harken MKIV (Racing & Performance Cruising)
Section titled “Harken MKIV (Racing & Performance Cruising)”Design Focus: Strength, lightweight, aerodynamic for racing and performance
| Model | Boat Length | Max Headstay Ø (Wire) | Max Headstay Ø (Rod) | Foil Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKIV Unit 1 | 28-36ft | 1/4”, 9/32”, 5/16” | -8, -10, -12 | Racing (dual-groove black) or Ocean (single-groove round) |
| MKIV Unit 2 | 40-55ft | 5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16” | -12, -17, -19 | Racing or Ocean |
| MKIV Unit 4 | 65-80ft | 1/2”, 9/16”, 5/8” | -30, -40, -48 | Racing or Ocean |
Key Features:
- Black anodized dual-groove airfoil (Racing) or clear anodized single-groove round foil (Ocean)
- Free-spinning halyard and independent tack swivels with Torlon® ball bearings
- Large diameter drum (increased mechanical advantage)
- Removable drum for racing (longest luff length)
- C-shaped open foil connectors (no headstay cutting required)
- Triple-interlock foil joints (torque loading resistance)
- Deep-saturation hardcoat anodized, UV stabilized
- Flushable bearings (fresh water maintenance)
Selden Furlex (Cruising)
Section titled “Selden Furlex (Cruising)”| Model | Boat Length | Max Forestay Ø | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furlex 100S | 25-30ft | 4mm | Small cruising |
| Furlex 200S | 30-38ft | 6mm | Standard cruising |
| Furlex 300S | 38-48ft | 8mm | Mid-size cruising |
| Furlex 400S | 48-60ft | 10mm | Large yachts |
Features:
- Aluminum extrusions
- Ball bearing swivels
- Compatible with Selden mast systems
Facnor (Cruising & Racing)
Section titled “Facnor (Cruising & Racing)”| Series | Boat Length | Max Forestay Ø | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| FX Series | 30-60ft | 6-14mm | Cruising |
| LS Series | 35-70ft | 6-16mm | Racing/performance |
Foil Specifications
Section titled “Foil Specifications”Foil Profile Types
Section titled “Foil Profile Types”| Profile | Description | Aerodynamics | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Round | Symmetrical round extrusion | Good | Cruising, general purpose |
| Dual-Groove | Two luff grooves for sail changes | Good | Racing, quick sail changes |
| Streamlined Airfoil | Teardrop-shaped, low-drag | Excellent | Performance racing |
Foil Joining Methods
Section titled “Foil Joining Methods”| Method | Description | Strength | Serviceability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Ferrule | Standard telescoping connection | Good | Easy to service |
| Rivet Joint | Permanent riveted connection | Excellent | Permanent (racing) |
| Screw Joint | Bolted connection | Good | Highly serviceable |
Luff Tape/Rope Compatibility Matrix
Section titled “Luff Tape/Rope Compatibility Matrix”| Furler Brand | Luff Tape Width | Bolt Rope Diameter | Groove Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profurl | 28-32mm | 8mm | Round |
| Harken | 30-35mm | 7-9mm | Round or Airfoil |
| Selden | 25-30mm | 6-8mm | Round |
| Facnor | 28-34mm | 8-10mm | Round |
Note: Always verify specific furler model compatibility before sail construction.
Drum Specifications
Section titled “Drum Specifications”Standard Manual Drum
Section titled “Standard Manual Drum”| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminum |
| Line diameter | 8-14mm |
| Sheave | Integrated or separate |
| Drive | Continuous line coiled around drum |