Topturn - Furler

the idea
Few products have simplified sailing so much as jib roller reefing. It's no surprise that most cruising yachts come equipped with jib roller reefing.
However, the original system has changed little over the past 25 years and even the most modern systems look like an 'add-on' to the original rig. The principal still remains true to the original idea: the jib is furled around an aluminium rod, which is turned by unfurling a rope twisted around a drum. The furling line runs along the railing
and crosses the gunwhale somwhere where it is fed into the cockpit. Sailors don't seem to mind tripping over the furling line occasionally, and a jammed furling drum is not uncommon. Furthermore, the drum is often in the way during anchoring or setting sails on racing days.

The concept
We sat down with a clean sheet of paper and set some ambitious design goals:

• Reefing system is integrated into the rig
• Reefing lines should lead into the cockpit together with the halyards - preferably coming from
• the mast
• Turning mechanism should only have one turn of the reefing line to prevent jamming and
• provide constant, smooth torque,
• Foredeck should remain clear,
• Jib should be tacked close to the deck for maximum luff length and sail efficiency for both
• cruising and racing.

Our Solution: TyeTec® TOPTURN

• Masthead mounted drive unit
• Reefing lines inside mast
• No deck mounted reefing drum
• Twin foil that allows the jib to be tacked at deck level for maximum luff length
• Bearing balls from high quality POM /TKPEEK
• Silver anodized foil
• Other parts are black anodized with PTFE coating
• Aluminuim parts machined from high strength material (AlMgSi1)
• Complete set with forestay, turnbuckle, reefing line
• Can also be supplied with swageless lower terminal.

Furler_Topturn_TyeTec.pdf