[C320-list] Furlex Jib Furling Gear

[Gerald Rouillard]

Angus,

My 320 is the second boat I've owned with a Shafer furler.  I also have a lot of commercial experience in Hunter 310's with Furlex furlers from the mid-90's.  Not sure about the newer Furlex equipment, but from my experience, the Shafer units were far more robust than the Furlex.  They do require maintenance from time to time, but were it my decicision, I would fix the Shafer - or buy another one - before replacing it with a Furlex.

Of course, that's just my opinion, so I would recommend you call Catalina tech support and ask they why they went to Furlex.  There's a delightful guy there named Warren Pandy, and besides being a real pleasure to talk to, he's been there so long he knows virtually EVERYTHING about 320's including the whys and wherefores concerning components they used - and didn't use...

The Florida number I have for Warren is (727) 544-6681.  

Good Luck!
Sailor Jerry
Hull #283
Pepin, WI and Ventura, CA

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 7, 2018, at 7:32 AM, John Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Angus:
> 
> Not to complicate your debate, but don’t overlook the Harken Unit 1 furlers. I had one for 10 years and regarded it as bullet-proof. It was 20 years old when I sold the boat and as good as new.
> 
> The bearings are hidden from the sun but accessible enough that they only need an occasional hosing down of the unit to keep things rolling.
> 
> Practical Sailor lists the Harken as generally the equal of the other top brands. I believe it is also less expensive.
> 
> One potential drawback is that there is only one sail slot, but I imagine that is not an issue for most 320 owners, being coastal sailors. 
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
> From: Angus Henderson
> Sent: Friday, December 7, 2018 9:42 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Furlex Jib Furling Gear
> 
> Thanks. Unfortunately the foil was accidentally damaged and needs replacement. Damage to the drum is uncertain at this point. Buy am considering replacement of entire assembly. I am interested in member’s experience with Furlex vs Schafer but it looks like the latter is fitted to most member’s boats. 
> Thanks
> Angus
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Dec 6, 2018, at 11:03 PM, Allan S Field <allan.field at verizon.net> wrote:
>> 
>> The original Schaefer lower bearing assembly was defective in that Schaefer thought it was maintenance free; they were wrong and the things start to seize up over time.  Schaefer has been replacing them at their cost for several years with ones that have a flush hole in the drum.  I would suggest pursuing that option first if seizing up is your issue.  We replaced ours on our C320 and are replacing the one on our C387 this winter.  I think the cost for the C320 was about $100.
>> 
>> Allan S. Field
>> Sea Shadow - C387, #103 (formerly C320, #808)
>> Columbia, MD
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jerry's Iphone
>> Sent: Thursday, December 6, 2018 9:55 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Furlex Jib Furling Gear
>> 
>> I agree Tim. The Schaeffer hub replacement was much cheaper than a complete furler change out on our 2004 C320. 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Dec 6, 2018, at 3:47 PM, Timothy Woods <woodstimothya at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Furlers are expensive to replace, if I keep my boat another season I 
>>> plan to change my forestay and buy the replacement Bearings from Schaefer.
>>> 
>>> Good luck, Tim
>>> 
>>>> On Thu, Dec 6, 2018, 3:38 PM Gus Macdonald <rathlyn1 at gmail.com wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I am having to replace my jib furling gear which is a Schafer 2100 unit.
>>>> Catalina are now apparently fitting Furlex units and so I am now 
>>>> considering that manufacturer.  Does anyone have any experience with 
>>>> Furlex
>>>> (Seldon) jib furlers for the C320?  Comments would be appreciated.
>>>> 
>>>> Angus Henderson
>>>> Hull# 999
>>>> Georgian Bay
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Nov 29, 2018, at 9:48 AM, John Brennan 
>>>>> <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Just a heads up that there are good deals to be had on Raymarine EV 
>>>>> 100
>>>> autopilots between now and Christmas.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I just bought a wheel pilot at Boatersland Marine for $1,275.95 plus 
>>>>> a
>>>> $200 rebate from Raymarine, no shipping or tax. The rebate is good 
>>>> for several more weeks.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The boxes are sitting under the Christmas tree now, awaiting
>>>> installation in time for a New Year’s Eve cruise.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The only downside is the @##%%^^ registration process at Raymarine 
>>>>> for
>>>> the extended warranty (do that first) and the rebate. The UPC code, 
>>>> which is not listed anywhere, is 723193770722. The manufacturer’s 
>>>> number is T70152.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Jack Brennan
>>>>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
>>>>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>>>>> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from Mail for Windows
>