Sailors buy Profurl headsail furlers for their sealed, maintenance-free mechanism, C6 carbon-steel bearings, shock-resistant drums, and a 10-year international warranty backed by a distributor network in more than 50 countries. With over 40 years of French furling expertise, Profurl is trusted by cruisers, circumnavigators, charter fleets, and racers who need reliability, longevity, and safety on the water.
Profurl furlers at a glance
| Feature | What Profurl delivers |
|---|---|
| Bearings | 100 C6 carbon-steel elements in a sealed grease bath; same bearings in drum and swivel |
| Sealing | Hermetically sealed with double-lipped joints; 316L stainless, anodized aluminum |
| Maintenance | None required; a fresh-water rinse at the dock is enough |
| Drum | Non-deforming, UV-treated plastic with high shock resistance |
| Boat range | Sailing boats from 5 to 26 meters (cruising and racing lines) |
| Warranty | 10-year international guarantee, redeemable worldwide |
What makes Profurl bearings so reliable?
Every Profurl manual headsail furler uses 100 C6 carbon-steel bearing elements, chosen so the ball bearings will not be crushed under service loads. That means smooth rotation even under extreme loads, so you can furl confidently in strong winds. The bearings sit in a sealed grease bath for lifetime lubrication and corrosion protection, and the same bearing system is used in both the drum mechanism and the top swivel.
How does Profurl seal the mechanism against corrosion?
Salt, water, and sand attack rigging hardware constantly, so Profurl builds corrosion resistance into the design itself. The furlers use 316L stainless steel and anodized aluminum, two double-lipped joints seal the top swivel, individual components receive anodic protection or anodization, and the parts are assembled in a sealed grease bath. The result is a mechanism that is fully sealed and protected from corrosion and impurities.
Do Profurl furlers need maintenance?
No. Whether you day-sail the coast or cross oceans, the manual headsail furler needs no specific maintenance. The sealed-grease assembly prevents corrosion, and a quick fresh-water rinse back at the harbor is all the care it requires. The drum is molded from non-deforming plastic with high resistance to sudden shocks, such as an abrupt anchoring snub, and every drum gets anti-UV treatment for longevity in any climate.
What keeps the furling line from jumping off?
A furling line that jumps off the drum is unpleasant and dangerous. Every Profurl furler, for boats from 5 to 26 meters, uses a drum with a double-hoop guide arm to prevent line jump, plus a feeder and a wrapstop that keep the halyard from wrapping the stay. Profurl notes this double-hoop guide is an exclusive feature. Cruising and racing extrusions are shaped to reduce friction and limit wear on the sail luff, and an opening Wichard pre-feeder can be added to hoist the sail easily and solo.
Which Profurl furler should I choose, cruising or racing?
Cruising furlers use round extruded-aluminum foils, while racing furlers use a more aerodynamic oval section with internal ribbing to cut weight without sacrificing torque resistance. On a race boat, that lower weight aloft can help overall performance. The cruising drum comes apart easily so the furler can be run as a plain stay, which is handy for regatta configurations, and the racing line ships pre-equipped with an opening luff-rope pre-feeder. Whichever you pick, each drum mechanism and top swivel carries its own serial number for precise after-sales support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Profurl warranty?
Every Profurl furler comes with a 10-year international guarantee that can be redeemed through any of the brand's distributors, wherever you sail.
What size boats do Profurl furlers fit?
Profurl manual headsail furlers are available for sailing boats from 5 to 26 meters, with dedicated cruising and racing-cruising lines.
Are Profurl furlers good for offshore and circumnavigation?
Yes. They are sealed, maintenance-free, and supported by a distributor network in more than 50 countries across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Can a Profurl furler be dismantled?
Yes. The drum comes apart easily, letting you use the furler as a simple stay for different setups, which is especially useful for racing.
What bearings does Profurl use?
Profurl uses 100 C6 carbon-steel bearing elements housed in a sealed grease bath, so they resist crushing under load and turn smoothly even in strong winds.
How is each furler traced?
Each drum mechanism and top swivel has its own serial number identifying its exact properties, which lets Profurl's after-sales team supply the right parts.
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In collaboration with Wichard America.