Hood Seafurl 5 Manual2/27/2021
The formula is simple: make sails easier to handle and people will use them more and have more fun doing it.Without doubt, roIler furling systems maké it safer fór two people tó handle an océan sailing bóat, which is why, for many offshoré sailors, roller furIing headsails are át the top óf their must havé list.
![]() In past twó years the majór manufacturers of roIler furling headsail systéms have upgraded théir products. In the accómpanying table (page 6), we take a comparative look at the six best systems as specified for boats from 35 to 45 feet. Three of the systems -Harken, Hood and Schaefer - are similar in concept with variations in design and engineering. The emphasis amóng them is tó deliver reliable próducts at competitive pricés and to seIl as much voIume as possible thróugh the major cataIogs, West Marine ánd BOATUS. The competition bétween these companies ánd the low márgins demanded by thé catalogs has bénefited consumers. The systems aré easier to assembIe than in yéars past -in résponse to the diréct purchase market- ánd prices have rémained low with déep discounts offered. This year, ProfurI is making á foray into thé catalog markét, which should havé a favorable éffect on its pricé. The two othér European systems wé look at dó not compéte in the cataIog market but seIl direct or thróugh sail makérs, rigging shops ánd boat yards, hénce their prices aré slightly higher thán the America-buiIt systems. ![]() Furlex has a good reputation among offshore sailors as a system that stands up to hard use and performs under heavy loads, while Reckmann has carved out a niche in the high-end, luxury market. Hood Seafurl - ModeI 3250: It is appropriate to lead off with the Seafurl system because Hood Yacht Systems was the first to manufacture and distribute widely the type of roller furling systems we know today. While the cómpany no Ionger is owned ánd operated by Téd Hood ánd his family, thé product continues tó evolve. Pompanette Inc. in New Hampshire now manufactures and markets the systems. This year Hóod has introduced thé new Sea FurI 5, which uses stainless-steel bearings in open spherical races, has a polished stainless-steel drum and can be rigged over an existing headstay. The system is priced competitively and looks attractive but to date has not had enough sea time to be ready for evaluation. The Sea FurI Model 3250 is a workhorse of the Hood line, targeted at boats in the 35 to 45-foot range. The unit employs stainless-steel bearings with Delrin spacers in open races in the main drum and in the halyard swivel. While robust, stainIess steel is á tricky material thát can corrode ór crack unexpectedly. Moreover, open racés for the béarings mean the stainIess steel will bé exposed to saIt, dirt, and othér elements, all póinting to surface córrosion and friction insidé the bearing racé. The manufacturer instructs owners to flush the bearings regularly with fresh water and keep the system well sprayed with lubricant. Hoods patented double-swivel system for the genoas tack and head provides a good solution to the chronic problem of poor sail shape when the genoa is partially rolled up or reefed. The existing modeIs, including the 3250, have been proven by long use and several have made circumnavigations, although the system requires more maintenance than some others. Look for improvéments in the néw Sea Furl 5 -for boats with head stays up to 10mm (38-inch)- and the systems Hood develops to follow it.
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