Seldén unveils innovative CX and GX furling systems for cruising yachts

by Alison Willis 25 Apr 2014 13:06 BST 25 April 2014

Seldén has unveiled two new furling systems, the Seldén CX and Seldén GX, aimed at sailors looking to increase their boat's performance by unfurling a Code 0 or asymmetric spinnaker.

The new systems make hoisting, dropping and storing these sails easier and safer, giving more sailors access to the increased power, acceleration and sailing enjoyment that "off-the-wind" sails can offer.

The Seldén CX furling system is designed for use with the Code 0 sail, while the Seldén GX is optimised for top-down furling of asymmetric spinnakers. Both systems are operated with an endless furling line running over a line driver drum. To set, simply hoist the furled sail and pull the sheet. To drop, pull the endless furling line. Once the sail is furled it can be dropped to the deck or left hoisted for later use.

Both systems are easy to fit to new and existing sails. Seldén has developed an exceptional purpose-made AT-cable (Anti-Torsion) specifically for the systems. This is included with the Seldén GX furlers, as a rigid AT-cable is essential for fast and efficient top-down furling. Seldén's AT-cable is the most rigid on the market, more than three times more rigid than its nearest competitor.

Features of both the Seldén CX and Seldén GX furlers include:

• Metal "teeth" in the drum making for a good grip on the line when furling the sail
• A wedge in the line guide separating the line from the drum when unfurling the sail allowing the drum to spin freely
• Sealed steel bearings in the drum and in the halyard swivel for long service life
• Rubber fenders preventing the halyard swivel from chafing the mast while hoisting the furled sail
• Structural parts made of high-strength Duplex stainless steel, meaning reduced material and low weight
• Non-structural parts made of impact resistant glass fibre reinforced polyamide composite

Combining different products from the systems gives sailors the ultimate in flexibility. For example; a Seldén CX drum can be combined with a Free Tack Adapter and a GX halyard swivel to allow top down furling of an asymmetric spinnaker/gennaker.

Accessories, like the Seldén Double Fairhead, which prevents the endless furling line getting tangled up and whose smooth stainless bracket prevents friction, mean that sailors can put together a complete furling system adapted to their needs.

The comprehensive range of accessories also includes an adapter adding a tack swivel to a Seldén CX furler, allowing the Seldén CX drum to be used for both Code 0 and asymmetric spinnakers. The adapters feature the patented Seldén line lock and Torlon ball bearings. A Low Friction Shackle, which can be used to tension a Seldén CX with 2:1 purchase, is also available. This high-strength Duplex steel Shackle, with mirror finish, not only makes for better performance but also makes it easier to connect the Seldén CX to a bowsprit from the foredeck.

Seldén CX

The Seldén CX furling kit for Code 0 sails comes with drum and halyard swivel. It has a spring loaded lock making it easier to connect the thimbles to the drum and the halyard swivel. The drum and furling line can be permanently mounted to the bow and along the stanchions.

Technical information is available at www.seldenmast.com/products/code_0_and_gennaker_furling.html

Seldén GX

The Seldén GX furling kit comes with an AT-cable developed specifically for the system by Seldén, as well as drum and halyard swivel. The Seldén GX has a patented line lock for easy mounting of the AT-cable to the drum and to the halyard swivel.

Technical information is available at www.seldenmast.com/products/code_0_and_gennaker_furling.html

Seldén CX and Seldén GX furling systems are available from all Seldén Regional Centres, major Riggers and Sailmakers.

Seldén products aim to give sailors the same competitive edge that led to Seldén celebrating a double victory at the 420 Worlds in summer 2013.

www.seldenmast.co.uk