The Wichard Group has launched a formidable new electrical furler, which includes a crafty use of a number of motors to maintain dimension to an absolute minimal
Furling methods for reaching sails have reworked the benefit with which these sails will be dealt with, with the consequence that many extra cruising yachts now have Code 0s and furling uneven spinnakers than would have carried a traditional spinnaker a decade or two in the past. Nevertheless, handbook furling methods on giant yachts can nonetheless require appreciable effort.
Once we examined Beneteau’s Oceanis Yacht 60 the 140m2 Code 0 was on the restrict for one individual to deal with manually and the operation was a lot simpler, although nonetheless considerably energetic, for 2.
Whereas we’d are likely to counsel in opposition to making onboard methods unnecessarily sophisticated, that is an occasion the place electrical furling is clearly helpful. At September’s Cannes Yachting Competition one other French firm, the Wichard Group, unveiled a brand new product designed precisely for this goal that shall be offered beneath each its Facnor (because the FXE Code Sail Electrical Furler) and Profurl manufacturers.
The unit is designed for straightforward retrofitting to present boats without having to change the sail or its torsion rope. It’s impressively small, with a peak of solely 218mm, a determine achieved by way of the usage of a number of electrical motors that whole 400W of energy. These spin the furler at round 85rpm, even when beneath load, which is quick sufficient to furl a 140m2 sail in solely 45 seconds.
It’s arrange in virtually precisely the identical manner as an equal handbook furler. The unit is connected to a padeye on the bowsprit with a snap shackle, however as a substitute of a protracted steady loop furling line to guide aft, there’s merely a brief size of wire to plug right into a devoted waterproof socket on deck.
Energy consumption beneath load is a manageable 20-25A and the system is designed to be fast to put in. All the things wanted, together with relay field, circuit breaker, wire, deck plug, storage bag and protecting cowl is provided as a package. There are two choices for management – both hard-wired buttons, or a radio management unit. The latter will make furling a simple one-person operation, because the furling and sheet will be managed concurrently.
Value: from €4,998 at facnor.com
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