Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

New developments in sail handling equipment

by Wichard Pacific 31 Aug 2020 15:45 PDT
Profurl Locking system © Wichard Pacific

One of the two most important controls of sailboat handling is hoisting and dousing the sails.

Halyard systems on sailboat rigs have come a long way from the days of winches mounted on the mast or multiple winches on deck, each with a specific task. Rope clutches have been incorporated to spread the job to having fewer winches on deck but often this system is not up to the task on highly loaded rigs, particularly in regards to halyards on larger boats.

The use of an in-built or external halyard lock, lessens the compression load on the mast as well as providing other benefits. The halyard locking eye of the halyard lock connects to the head of a sail or swivel.

A halyard then goes through the locking device either fixed to the mast or externally hung on a strop from a mast tang. Once hoisted, the locking eye locates and locks into the receptacle. The benefits are as follows:

  • Half the normal mast compression compared to standard halyard
  • Higher sail luff tension is possible
  • Smaller halyards
  • No need for 2:1 halyard meaning faster hoisting
  • Easier foredeck handling
Facnor and Profurl developed their proven halyard lock systems on the prolific, French, "around the world" and other crewed and shorthanded race boats. The use of these halyard locks on the headsail is a common solution on superyachts and maxi boats but now also come into play on small and mid-sized boats.

These days many boats are using "flying sails" for downwind work and are commonly set up on a sail furling system. Profurl's Hybrid range uses the latest innovation of an external halyard locking device incorporated in a furler swivel. Ceramic bearings reduce friction and weight considerably. Using these extremely corrosion-resistant bearings enables Profurl to banish metal fastenings in favour of soft textile attachments.

Practically zero friction in the bearings means the swivel is less likely to twist the strop while furling. The range goes from 2 to 50 ton sizes. It is not difficult for your rigger to retrofit a halyard lock, either internal or external to an existing, standing rig.

Find out how a halyard lock can benefit your performance cruising or racing boat by viewing more information on the range on the Wichard Pacific website here.

See a demonstration of a halyard lock in use below.

Related Articles

Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Preview
Getting ready to race at Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona Today (Friday) Galicia's prestigious Monte Real Club de Yates in Baiona (Galicia, Spain) hosted the official presentation of the GALICIA 52 SUPER SERIES ROYAL CUP, the second scoring event for the 2025 season of the 52 SUPER SERIES. Posted today at 4:42 pm
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 3
No racing due to light wind in Porto Cervo The forecast of very light winds proved to be accurate today as the starting procedure for the third day of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and the Southern Wind RendezVous got under way. Posted today at 4:32 pm
1D35 "Relentless" to Race 2025 LBRW with new owner
First-time owner Derek Williamson eager to join the fleet for premier event As Derek Williamson prepares to race in his first regatta - Long Beach Race Week (LBRW) - where he'll be helming his own boat, Williamson acknowledges that he's new to the game and has a lot to learn. Posted today at 4:26 pm
Armstrong Foils: On tour - Home of Armstrong II
Join America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders on the tour of NZ's Far North Join three times America's Cup champion, Blair Tuke and Armstrong team riders Olivia Jenkins, Naumi Eychenne, Bowien van der Linden, Cash Berzolla, and Reo Stevens, on the Home of Armstrong Tour II, as they explore NZ's Far North. Posted today at 11:24 am
Tom Gruitt passes away
Sailing photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many Tom Gruitt, photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many, has passed away at the far too young age of 37. Posted today at 11:04 am
Rooster - Supporting Women in Sailing
Here to amplify women's voices, create better gear, and help shape a more inclusive future At Rooster, we're proud to be part of a movement that's putting women at the forefront of sailing - not just on race day, but every day. Posted today at 8:00 am
5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde day 1
Race wins go Beta Crucis and New Moon III New Moon III (BAH 25, Christoph Burger, Kim Chabani, Peter Vlasov) is the early leader after two races in great conditions at the 2025 5.5 Metre German Open in Warnemunde. Posted today at 7:59 am
Casa Vela Cup 2025 at St Francis Yacht Club Day 2
Another flawless day for top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her team Another thrilling day of racing with top-ranked French skipper Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink Normandy Elite Team continuing their unbeaten streak with fifteen straight wins in the qualifying round robin stage, asserting a dominant lead. Posted today at 5:18 am
XR41 shines at Fyn Rundt with 1st and 2nd in class
Formula X and Xbox dominate prestigious Danish regatta under new conditions In a weekend of challenging conditions and fierce competition,the high-performance racer secured 1st and 2nd in its class, and 4th and 5th overall out of 220 boats at the prestigious Fyn Cup, a 145-nautical-mile regatta around Denmark's island of Funen. Posted today at 4:20 am
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, Day 1
Tricky conditions & challenging 2v2 format tests Team Racing fleet Gray skies, intermittent rain and shifty light winds were not enough to dampen the energy and enthusiasm on Narragansett Bay for Day 1 of the Team Racing World Championship under way at Harbour Court. Posted today at 3:02 am
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast