Choose a top-down furler for a gennaker or asymmetric spinnaker, and a flat (bottom-up) furler for a Code 0 — then match the furler's size and load rating to your sail area and boat length. Facnor's FX+ range covers gennaker and Code 0 sails from roughly 20 ft up to 70 ft, letting you deploy and stow big reaching and downwind sails safely without a heavy bowsprit or a full crew.
Facnor furler types at a glance
| Feature | Gennaker Furler (Top-Down) | Code 0 Furler (Flat) |
|---|---|---|
| Furling method | Top-down: rolls from the head down the luff | Bottom-up: rolls flat around an anti-torsion cable |
| Best sail | Gennakers, asymmetric spinnakers (full-shaped) | Code 0 — tight-luffed reaching sails |
| Point of sail | Broad reach to downwind | Close reaching |
| Anti-torsion cable | Required to transmit furling torque up the luff | Required; handles very high luff loads |
| Bowsprit needed | No — a tack point or short sprit is enough | Tack fitting at bow or sprit |
Why choose Facnor furlers?
Facnor gennaker and Code 0 furlers combine lightweight construction, smooth operation, and durability under extreme conditions. They make handling big front sails safer and faster — exactly what you want when short-handed or in a building breeze. The compact design installs with existing rigging in most cases, so you can add furling performance without a major deck overhaul.
What is a Facnor gennaker (top-down) furler?
A gennaker furler uses a top-down system that rolls the sail starting from the head and working down, using an anti-torsion cable to transmit the furling torque up the luff. It is designed for full-shaped downwind sails — gennakers and asymmetric spinnakers — and lets you handle them without a heavy bowsprit, which is ideal for solo or short-handed crews. Facnor offers models with an optional ratchet for controlled furling under load.
What is a Facnor Code 0 (flat) furler?
Facnor Code 0 furlers are optimized for flat, close-reaching sails. They offer high resistance to the very high luff loads a Code 0 generates, with a bottom-up furl that rolls the flat sail tightly around its anti-torsion cable. Choose a Code 0 furler when your sail is a tight-luffed reaching sail rather than a full asymmetric spinnaker.
Which Facnor furler should I choose?
- Sail type: top-down for gennakers and asymmetrics; flat furler for Code 0s.
- Boat size & sail area: match the furler model — for example the FX+ range spans roughly 20–70 ft — to your boat length and sail load.
- Load rating: the furler and anti-torsion cable must handle the sail's luff load with margin.
- Ratchet option: some FX+ models offer a ratchet for controlled furling under load.
Not sure which model or cable fits your sail? Send us your boat size and sail details and our rigging team will confirm the right furler and anti-torsion cable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gennaker furler and a Code 0 furler?
A gennaker furler uses a top-down system that rolls the sail from the head down, suited to full asymmetric spinnakers and gennakers. A Code 0 furler is a flat, bottom-up furler optimized for tight-luffed reaching sails and the very high luff loads a Code 0 generates. Match the furler to your sail type.
Do I need a bowsprit to use a Facnor gennaker furler?
Not necessarily. Facnor gennaker furlers let you handle asymmetric spinnakers without a heavy bowsprit, making deployment and recovery safer and faster — especially for solo or short-handed crews. A tack point at the bow or a short sprit is typically all that's needed.
What is top-down furling?
Top-down furling rolls the sail starting from the head and working down, using an anti-torsion cable to transmit the furling torque up the luff. It is used for gennakers and asymmetric spinnakers, which are full-shaped sails that need to be furled from the top for a clean, reliable stow.
How do I size a Facnor furler for my boat?
Match the furler model (such as the FX+ range) to your boat length and sail area, and confirm the furler and anti-torsion cable are rated for your sail's luff load with margin. Facnor lists boat-size ranges per model — for example FX+ 900 for 20–30 ft up to FX+ 7000 for 55–70 ft. If in doubt, provide your boat size and sail details for confirmation.
Can Facnor furlers be installed with existing rigging?
Yes. Facnor gennaker furlers are compact and lightweight and install with existing rigging in most cases. You will need a suitable tack attachment and an anti-torsion cable matched to your sail; confirm compatibility for your specific setup before ordering.
What is a ratchet option on a Facnor furler?
Some FX+ models (for example the FX+ 2500 w/Ratchet and FX+ 7000 w/Ratchet) include a ratchet mechanism that lets you furl in stages and hold the sail under load, giving more controlled handling of large or highly loaded sails.
Shop all Facnor Gennaker & Code Zero Furlers →