As Seldén agents and one of only four Advanced Technical Centres in the whole of the UK, the team at Fox’s Rigging thrives on diversity and likes nothing more than a challenge! As the days get longer, we are gearing up for our usual busy Spring period. In addition to the standard seasonal re-rigs, projects booked in for the next few months include: a full rod rigging installation on a new grand prix race boat; the complete re-rigging of a Frers 60 bluewater cruiser and the development of a bespoke tender lifting system for a 60m superyacht.
Fox’s has always supplied and fitted Furlex systems to boat owners upgrading, or as new installations on yachts not previously equipped with reefing gear, but since Seldén introduced the latest version of their respected Furlex last year, orders for the new systems have been flooding in.
With this fourth generation Furlex, evolution not revolution was the watchword. Attempting to improve a well tried and tested, market-leading product is a risky business. With the 104s – 404s systems, Seldén has avoided the pitfalls and engineered a genuinely excellent product without compromising the core strengths of the earlier systems.
The stainless steel ball bearings and foil extrusions with twin luff grooves remain, however the development of a new and durable composite material for the drum has removed unnecessary weight from the system. A new aero section foil, giving reduced drag is new, as is an extra set of ball bearings in the bottom swivel for reduced friction. Further improvements include a smaller and more refined tack swivel and an all aluminium foil joining system. All in all this has been a well thought through evolution of a much-loved and trusted product and as a consequence the yachting public seems to be voting with their wallets.
