All of the latest endless-line furlers that we’ve seen have greatly improved on older designs’ latch-and-catch systems.
1. & 2. The Profurl NEX 2.5’s clevis-like tack pin firmly connects to a stainless-steel spring. Its tack-pin release system includes a push tab that operates similar to a safety trigger. It’s set in an indentation that keeps lines from snagging the tack pin loose.
3. Releasing the tack pin on the Seldén CX15 is easily accomplished with one hand: Just pull the little string. Another string tethers the pin to the furler, so it can’t be dropped overboard.
4. The Facnor FX2500’s tack pin is the easiest to release of the test furlers: Push down on a small tab, and out slides the pin. This method also leaves the pin the most exposed, but Facnor has headed off any accidental releases by using a captured tack pin.
5. & 6. The Seldén CX15’s slick double-cam furling-line control’s elegantly simple setup made the furling line much easier to tame, especially when users needed to secure the furled sail.
7. All furling manufacturers make an array of parts and castings that expedite installation: thimbles for splicing line to fit the spool, delta plates to set up a two-part downhaul, leads for the furling line, spool downhaul blocks for tack tensioners, and a double deadeye for leads.
