Selden has long been one of the most trusted names in sailing hardware, particularly among cruising sailors and production yacht builders. Their systems are widely specified as standard equipment on mass-production boats, valued for reliability, longevity and sensible engineering rather than headline-driven innovation. The Selden CXr Furler range continues firmly in that tradition. Designed for modern Code Zero, staysail, asymmetric spinnaker and gennaker handling, the CXr is a clear, well-structured furling system that brings Selden’s flying sail furlers fully up to date with current cruising requirements.
Selden CXr Furler Overview
The Selden CXr Furler is a continuous line furling system developed to support the way cruising sailors now use multiple flying sails. Rather than requiring separate furlers for each sail type, the CXr platform is designed to work in different configurations depending on sail geometry and load profile.
This modular approach allows a single furler system to be adapted for Code Zero sails, staysails, asymmetric spinnakers and cruising gennakers, simplifying specification while retaining correct furling behaviour for each sail type.
Selden CXr Furler Applications for Modern Flying Sails
The Selden CXr Furler supports two primary furling modes, reflecting current best practice in cruising sail handling.
Selden CXr Bottom-Up Furling for Code Zero and Staysails
For Code Zero, Jib Zero and staysail-style sails, the Selden CXr Furler is configured for bottom-up furling. These sails typically feature a straight or lightly curved luff and operate under relatively high luff tension.
In this configuration:
- The torsional rope or anti-torsion cable runs directly between the furling drum and the halyard swivel
- Rotation from the drum is transferred efficiently along the full luff length
- The sail furls progressively from the bottom upwards
This remains the most common arrangement for cruising Code Zero sails, allowing them to be hoisted, furled and stowed easily from the cockpit, even when sailing short-handed.
Selden CXr Top-Down Furling for Asymmetric Spinnakers and Gennakers
For asymmetric spinnakers and fuller cruising gennakers, the Selden CXr Furler can be configured for top-down furling by adding a tack swivel adapter.
In top-down mode:
- The torsional rope transmits rotation from the drum to the head of the sail
- The sail furls progressively from the head downwards
- The tack rotates independently via a free-spinning tack swivel
This approach has become the industry standard over the last decade, offering significantly better control than traditional snuffers or manual dousing systems, particularly for larger cruising downwind sails.
Selden CXr Modular System Design and Configuration
One of the strongest aspects of the Selden CXr Furler range is the clarity of its modular design. The system is straightforward to specify, upgrade or reconfigure as sailing programmes change.
Selden CXr Furler Sizes and Safe Working Loads
The Selden CXr range is available in three principal sizes, allowing appropriate matching to boat size and expected sail loads:
- CXr 15 – 1500 kg safe working load
- CXr 25 – 2500 kg safe working load
- CXr 45 – 4500 kg safe working load
Each size follows the same structural logic, making it easier for owners and riggers to move up or down the range as required.
Selden CXr Components and System Compatibility
Each Selden CXr Furler system is built around the same core components:
- Furling drum
- Halyard swivel
- Optional tack swivel adapters for top-down furling
- Compatible torsional ropes and terminations
All major components are available individually. This is particularly valuable for cruising sailors planning staged refits, replacing worn parts, or adapting an existing installation without committing to a complete system replacement.
Selden CXr Ratcheting Furling Drum
The Selden CXr Furler introduces a ratcheting furling drum, aligning the range with current expectations for cruising sail handling systems.
The ratchet mechanism:
- Prevents accidental unfurling during hoisting or partial furling
- Allows furling to be paused safely under load
- Can be disengaged when free rotation is preferred
While ratchets are now common across the furling market, their inclusion in the CXr reflects a conservative, safety-oriented design approach. For short-handed crews, the ratchet offers additional control even if it is only used occasionally.
Selden CXr Design Refinements and Construction Details
Visually and mechanically, the Selden CXr Furler has been noticeably refined compared to earlier CX and GX systems.
Key design updates include:
- A sleeker, more compact drum design using composite materials to reduce weight forward
- High-strength Duplex stainless steel in all critical load paths
- Sealed bearings for durability and low maintenance
- An integrated rubber impact protector on the halyard swivel to reduce the risk of mast damage during handling
These details may seem small individually, but together they reflect Selden’s focus on long-term reliability and everyday usability rather than pushing components to their absolute limits.
Selden CXr Nail Terminal and Torsional Rope Termination
Selden’s Nail Terminal for torsional rope is another example of their practical, system-led approach.
The Nail Terminal:
- Preserves rope strength and torsional stiffness
- Integrates directly with the CXr drum and swivel for bottom-up furling
- Can also be used with a dedicated low-profile tack swivel for top-down furling
This means the same torsional rope termination can be used across both configurations, simplifying system setup and future changes. For cruising sailors, that flexibility is often more valuable than chasing marginal performance gains.
Why Choose the Selden CXr Furler for Cruising Yachts
The Selden CXr Furler is not about redefining furling technology. Instead, it is about bringing together proven ideas into a clean, modern, easy-to-specify system that cruising sailors can rely on.
With its modular structure, refined design, sensible safety features and Selden’s long-standing reputation in the cruising market, CXr feels like a natural evolution rather than a radical departure.
For sailors looking to upgrade their Code Zero or downwind sail handling with confidence — especially on production cruising yachts — the Selden CXr Furler is a logical and reassuring choice.
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Selden CXr Furler – Modular Furling System for Modern Cruising Sailboats