Introducing the LOOP® Products E-Furler
by Phil Anniss 11 Mar 2019 22:00 NZDT
The E-Furler 1500 brings push-button technology, safety and comfort to sportsboat gennaker furling © LOOP Products
Launched at Dusseldorf Boatshow 2017, the LOOP® Products E-Furler 1500 brings push-button technology, safety and comfort to sportsboat gennaker furling.
Designed to slot into most standard bowsprit diameters, the E-Furler is a stand-alone, battery operated unit. The powerful, rechargeable, 12V Lithium-Ion battery can deliver 30Nm of torque at 525rpm, with approx. 1 hour of continuous operation.
The robust remote control unit allows the unit to be operated from the cockpit. With a press of the button, the drum lock is over-ridden to allow the sail to unfurl manually. When rolling up, simply press the button on the remote control and within a few seconds your sail will be rolled safely away. When the furl is finished, the drum is automatically locked by the gearbox which prevents the sail from accidental unfurling.
The system is completely watertight and designed with flexibility in mind. There are several installation options:
- The whole assembly (drum, gearbox, motor and battery compartment) can be mounted at the front of the bowsprit where it is held in place by a quick release pin to enable simple battery changes plus removal and maintenance.
- Alternatively the drum, gearbox and motor can be mounted at the front of the bowsprit and an electrical connector cable run down the sprit to the battery compartment mounted at the back end. This means spare battery packs can be quickly/simply changed out during sailing for uninterrupted use.
- The system can also be hardwired into the boats' main battery system.
The E-Furler 1500 has a Safe Working Load of 750kg and is suitable for boats of up to 28ft and sail areas of up to 45m2. The jaw width is 12mm with an 8mm pin which is appropriate for use with torsional ropes of up to 9mm.
A swivel is required to work with the furling drum and torsional rope. There are several suitable swivels available on the market, for example, the Facnor FX+900 or the Ronstan Series 80.
Can't wait to get your hands on the LOOP® Products E-Furler? To discuss the correct setup for your boat, contact us using our LOOP® Products E-Furler Enquiry Form