Each size gear works in the same way.The drive unit is turned by the braid on braid control rope turning around the cast aluminium drum which has staggered "v" teeeth. This set up means that the control rope grips in a similar way to a sheet in a self tailing winch. The control rope is led into the drum by means of 3 ball raced lead rollers which provide nearly 270 degree contact between the drum and the rope. The whole unit sits in its own Sailspar made 316 stainless steel shield which in turn attaches to the reefing gear body and bottom toggle .
All bearings are stainless steel balls running in stainless steel races. Even the lead rollers are ball raced.
The shield is able to rotate so it can be set to the optimum angle.
The control rope is spliced to your own custom length and the rope loop runs aft down one side of the boat, which side depends on your preference. The gear can be bought either as a complete package which includes a new forestay and lead blocks, or as a gear and blocks, or just as the gear only. Sailspar can also provide a complete package to include a new sail.
Whichever way you decide to buy the gear, the package includes full fitting instructions, drill bits, halyard diverter, bottom toggle, forestay length adjustment and bottom stay terminal.
The Sailspar system is simple but effective.
The main feature of our gear is that it offers a continuous line system. This means that there is a constant rope length with no turns on the drum and absolutely no chance of twisting, snagging, jamming or jumping. There are also no hazardous coils of rope around your feet in the cockpit once the sail has been reefed in. The reefing line is spliced, making an unending length of rope which is led down the side of the yacht by special removable double sheave stanchion blocks to the cockpit, from where you operate the furling system. The system can be turned either way and is pulled in and out purely on the large diameter reefing line. Easy, no stress and no strain.
The gear comes as a complete package, with no hidden extras and a 2 year guarantee. It is easy to fit yourself or, alternatively, Sailspar can fit it for you.
The reefing gear is easily maintained. It should be flushed out yearly, as a minimum, with fresh water and then a dry teflon spray can be applied to the drum and the halyard swivel. ON NO ACCOUNT USE GREASE. That really is it.
The NS system, the variation to our small system, comprises of a drive unit, a torque tube, a number of foils, control rope, bottom toggle and a halyard turn block. It is this halyard turn block which varies from the small system. This system is designed for smaller boats as the halyard turns at the top of the foil 180 degrees and makes fast to the drive unit. This means that the jib does not need its own halyard as it is built into the system. This gear is for sail areas up to 150 sq feet and with a maximum luff of 8 metres and with a stay of 4mm, 5mm or 6mm.
There will the option to click to see the brochure and what size is needed.
