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Heavy Facnor furling

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Chit Chat
Forum Description: Talk about anything to do with your boat
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15328
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Heavy Facnor furling
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Subject: Heavy Facnor furling
Date 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



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http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se



Replies:
Posted By: Issywa
Date 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....


Posted By: Black Diamond
Date 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. 




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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI


Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 16 September 2025 at 08:57
Hello Black Diamond,
Do you have te Selden(Furlex) spare number of the top swivel for
TD400?


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Wild and Wet
Belgium
545e#268


Posted By: Black Diamond
Date 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.



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Rick
S/V Black Diamond
Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161
Newport, RI



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