Kits de enrollador estructural
A structural furler is a furling system in which the furling cable or rod is a primary load-bearing element of the sail plan, rather than a simple torsion transmission component. Unlike conventional top-down or bottom-up furlers that rely on independent standing rigging, a structural furler replaces a fixed stay and is designed to carry full forestay or inner stay loads while simultaneously transmitting torque for sail furling. Read more...
Structural furlers are most commonly used for code zero sails, heavy reaching sails, staysails, solent sails, and removable inner forestays, particularly on modern cruising yachts and performance-oriented offshore designs.
What Defines a Structural Furler?
The defining feature of a structural furler is that axial load and torsional load are carried by the same element. This is typically achieved using:
- Solid or stranded rod systems
- High-modulus composite cables
- Torque-optimised torsion cable assemblies with integrated terminals
The furling cable is connected directly between deck hardware and mast attachment points and must meet the yacht’s standing rigging load requirements. As a result, component selection, termination design, and bearing performance are all significantly more critical than in non-structural furling systems.
Key design requirements include:
- High axial stiffness to maintain luff straightness and forestay tension
- High torsional stiffness to ensure synchronous furling from tack to head
- Minimal elongation under load
- Robust, fatigue-resistant end terminations
- Bearings capable of operating under combined axial and torsional loads
Typical Applications for Structural Furlers
Structural furlers are selected where a sail must remain hoisted and loaded for extended periods, or where deck layout and sail handling efficiency are priorities.
Common applications include:
Code Zero and Heavy Reaching Sails
When flown as a primary upwind or tight-reaching sail, a code zero often requires forestay-level luff tension. Structural furlers allow the sail to function as a true load-bearing sail without the need for a separate stay.
Inner Forestays and Solent Stays
On offshore cruising yachts, structural furlers are frequently used for staysails or solent sails, allowing rapid sail deployment without manual hank-on systems.
Removable or Textile Stays
Modern yachts increasingly use removable textile stays. Structural furlers integrate cleanly with this approach, providing furling and load-bearing capability in a single system.
Performance Cruising and Short-Handed Sailing
By eliminating sail changes and reducing foredeck work, structural furlers are well suited to short-handed crews and long-distance cruising setups.
Structural Furler System Components
A complete structural furler system typically consists of:
- Load-rated furling drum with high-efficiency bearings
- Structural swivel capable of supporting forestay loads
- Structural cable or rod, custom-built to length
- Integrated terminals (forks, eyes, or custom fittings)
- Control line system, often with low-stretch furling lines
Because the furling unit is part of the standing rigging, installation tolerances and alignment are critical to long-term reliability.
Overview of Key Structural Furler Brands
Karver
Karver structural furlers are commonly specified for high-load textile stay applications. Their designs focus on modular construction, efficient bearing systems, and compatibility with composite cables. Karver units are frequently paired with removable inner forestays and modern deck layouts.
Ronstan
Ronstan structural furling solutions designed for reliability and mechanical efficiency, with a strong focus on bearing performance under combined axial and torsional loads. Their systems are typically well suited to performance cruising and offshore applications where robustness and serviceability are priorities.
Ubi Maior
Ubi Maior structural furlers are often seen on high-end cruising and superyacht installations. Their systems are engineered to handle very high working loads and integrate well with both rod and composite stay configurations. Attention to load paths and terminal geometry is a key feature of their designs.
Harken
Harken structural furlers combine precision bearing technology with a wide range of size options. Their systems are commonly specified on performance yachts where low friction and consistent furling under load are required. Harken furlers are often integrated into complex sail handling systems involving multiple furlers and stays.
Facnor
Facnor has a long history in furling technology and offers structural furlers designed for code zero and staysail applications. Facnor structural furlers are widely used on cruising yachts transitioning to modern furling sail inventories, offering compatibility with both rod and composite structural cables.
Structural Furler vs Non-Structural Furler
| Feature | Structural Furler | Non-Structural Furler |
|---|---|---|
| Load bearing | Carries full stay load | Torque transmission only |
| Typical sails | Code zero, staysail, solent | Gennaker, asymmetric |
| Cable type | Rod or structural composite | Torsion rope or cable |
| Installation | Standing rigging element | Add-on system |
| Luff tension | High | Low to moderate |
Selection Considerations
When specifying a structural furler, it is essential to evaluate:
- Design forestay loads and safety factors
- Required luff tension for sail shape control
- Cable material and fatigue resistance
- Bearing service intervals and accessibility
- Compatibility with mast fittings and deck hardware
Because these systems form part of the yacht’s primary structure, correct sizing and professional installation are critical.
Summary on Structural Furler
A structural furler is a technically advanced solution that combines sail furling and standing rigging into a single, load-bearing system. Widely used for code zero sails, staysails, and inner forestays, structural furlers improve sail handling efficiency while maintaining high luff tension and structural integrity. Brands such as Karver, Ronstan, Ubi Maior, Harken, and Facnor offer proven solutions across a wide range of yacht sizes and applications, making structural furlers a core component of modern sail handling systems.
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