Harken Product Focus: MKIV Ocean Furler
by Harken UK 28 May 2021 12:44 BST
Furlers have come a long way in recent years, driven by their uptake in racing as technology allowed them to be used in a greater range of wind angles and conditions. Harken have been at the forefront of this uptake and the benefits are now available for cruising sailors in the MKIV Ocean range.
Why did Harken develop the Ocean furling product range?
The MKIV Ocean furler has been designed and manufactured specifically for cruising sailors.
MKIV furlers are some of the most preferred products in the Harken product line due to their high performance, reliability and ability to be reconfigured for racing. Now, Harken has introduced the MKIV Ocean furler, a product that offers MKIV quality that's configured for the cruising sailor and the way they sail.
What are some of the key benefits of this product?
The MKIV Ocean furler is made of hardcoat-anodized aluminium, is UV-stabilized to increase durability and includes multiple rows of Torlon® ball bearings to minimize friction and make pulling the furling line a less physical experience.
The product is engineered for strength, longevity, ease of use and features a single groove round foil. The bearings do not require lubrication for easy maintenance and it is designed for simple installation.
Specified in the same way as the existing MKIV range, Ocean furler uses the same toggle system and is fully serviceable as most individual parts are replaceable. The independent head swivel also supports optimal sail shape. MKIV Ocean provides Harken's most reliable performance without features that cruisers do not always need.
How many sizes are available and what kind of boat and type of sailor is the Ocean furler catered for?
Designed specifically for non-racers and cruisers for use on yachts, the Ocean furler line is available in four sizes and is suitable for the following boat lengths:
- Unit 0: 6.5 - 9.1 m (22 - 30')
- Unit 1: 8.3 - 11 m (28 - 36')
- Unit 2: 10.6 - 14.2 m (35 - 46')
- Unit 3: 13.7 - 24.4 m (45 - 80')
What are the main differences between the Harken MKIV and the Ocean furler?
Both are designed for longevity and ease of use, but the MKIV has additional features which make this range more suitable for performance cruising and racing. In contrast, the Ocean furler is built for cruisers and non-racers.
There is also an additional model available in the MKIV range; five units in total for MKIV and four units in total for the Ocean furler.
Other differences in features are show in the following table:
How can customers get further information on this product and technical support?
For further information on the Ocean furler, customers can visit the UK website product page or contact the Harken UK Tech Team: / 01590 689122.
If customers have access to the 2021 new products supplement, information is also available to review on pages 32 - 35.