Heavy Facnor furling

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   This is my contribution to the forever ongoing heavy-to-furl-the-head-sail discussion. I have seen it pop up so many times that I could not pick one thread to post my latest discovery in. 

Now, this is just a heads up to anyone who is trying to find out what makes their furling heavy. 

I just found out that my top swivel (that is an upgrade from the original) has clearly been worn from the halyard shackle. The picture below almost speaks for itself. When you first mount it you might not be aware that the schackle is allowed to move so that the end of the screw will touch the swiveling part. I was really upset that I had not been aware of this happening at the top of my forestay for years. I should have been more careful in checking this. 

Johan

Edited by Johan Hackman - 22 August 2025 at 22:53

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Johan Hackman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral of the Fleet Joined: 24 August 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 4361	Post Options Post Reply Quote Johan Hackman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Heavy Facnor furling Posted: 22 August 2025 at 22:52
	This is my contribution to the forever ongoing heavy-to-furl-the-head-sail discussion. I have seen it pop up so many times that I could not pick one thread to post my latest discovery in. Now, this is just a heads up to anyone who is trying to find out what makes their furling heavy. I just found out that my top swivel (that is an upgrade from the original) has clearly been worn from the halyard shackle. The picture below almost speaks for itself. When you first mount it you might not be aware that the schackle is allowed to move so that the end of the screw will touch the swiveling part. I was really upset that I had not been aware of this happening at the top of my forestay for years. I should have been more careful in checking this. Johan Edited by Johan Hackman - 22 August 2025 at 22:53
	http://www.johanhackman.se

Issywa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 13 April 2022 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 143	Post Options Post Reply Quote Issywa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 September 2025 at 07:43
	After fighting my Facnor for 3 years (from the time I bought my boat), I finally was so frustrated that I replaced it with a Harken Mark IV furler while on vacation in Port Townsend. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Going from using the winch to furl to now being able to do this by hand is so much more efficient and safe that I can't believe I waited so long. My 2 cents....

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 September 2025 at 00:34
	The real problem with many head furling setups is the uneven load created by having the halyard attach on one side of the swivel. This basically pinches the bearings and causes symptoms as you describe. While mine was Selden, you can see the difference between the "coffee cup" attachment versus the new setup. The new jib furling head units try to create a much more even pull. Not sure how old yours is, but just a thought... When I built my Hanse 575, I complained about this in the first month and had them replace it. The problem is aggravated by high tech halyards and membrane sails, which can put up to 20, 000lbs of load on the unit.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Wild Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vice Admiral Joined: 18 March 2010 Location: Turkey-Greece Status: Offline Points: 937	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wild Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 September 2025 at 08:57
	Hello Black Diamond, Do you have te Selden(Furlex) spare number of the top swivel for TD400?
	Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 September 2025 at 20:21
	Sorry.... it was a few years ago... Here are some better pictures, though. I'd ask your rigger. He should know. It was a big change and solved a lot of problems.. Much higher quality. Much stronger. I used a soft shackle for the halyard connection. Fully hoisted. You can see how the pull is much more even and would not pinch bearings.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI



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