Furling genoas and foils – parts of the headsail furling system
In the furling genoa and foils product group you will find parts for the genoa furling system, which allows the headsail to be furled using a line without lowering the sail onto the deck. The range includes, for example, the Rutgerson brand furling trailer (with a Stand Up 2:1 gear ratio) and the Harken Unit 0 and Unit 1 series Carbo Foil foil sets in various lengths (12–20 meters) – the foil is the vertical rail that attaches to the foremast and around which the genoa is furled.
The choice of foil size (Unit 0, Unit 1, etc.) depends on the size of the boat and the load on the foremast – a larger boat requires a stronger foil to withstand the stresses of a larger sail area. The length of the foil, in turn, should be sized according to the length of the foremast; a foil that is too short will not cover the entire foremast, while a foil that is too long will not fit properly in the installation.
A furling carriage (Stand Up type) improves the operation of the furling system, especially with a partially furled genoa, keeping the sail in shape better than without a furling. Regular maintenance of the furling system – cleaning and lubricating the bearings – extends the life of the system and keeps the furling easy even in strong winds, when effective furling is most important.
It is worth carefully checking the compatibility of the foil and the furling drum before ordering, as Harken's Unit series foils are designed to work with a specific size of furling drum and furling drum - mixing components from different manufacturers or sizes can cause compatibility issues with the smoothness of the furling. The 2:1 gear ratio of the Rutgerson Stand Up furling drum makes it easier to adjust the furling drum, especially with larger genoas, where the adjustment forces are significant.
The length of the foil according to the headstay is critical: a foil that is too short leaves part of the stay unprotected and can hinder furling at the top, while a foil that is too long will not fit properly or will push against the deck structures. Regularly flushing the furling system bearings with fresh water and lubricating them with the manufacturer's recommended lubricant will keep furling easy even in strong winds, making effective furling the most important thing for safe sail handling.
Check the operation of the rolling system regularly, even after winter storage, before the start of the season – long periods of non-use and moisture can stiffen the bearings, even if the system worked flawlessly the previous summer.
Protect the foil and reel system with a light cover during winter storage to prevent dust and moisture from slowly degrading the bearings.