Profurl

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Overview

Profurl is a manufacturer of roller furling systems for sailing vessels, specializing in headsail furlers and reefing equipment. The brand serves a range of sailing programs from offshore racing to cruising, with products adapted for boats between 5 and 26 meters. Profurl is recognized as a market leader in furling technology, trusted by professional racers including Vendée Globe competitors and Class 40/IMOCA 60 participants, as well as recreational sailors and circumnavigators.

History

Profurl was founded in 1980 under the ProEngin name, developing the company's first headsail furler and establishing itself as a pioneer in roller furling technology. The brand became a world leader in its category over the following decades through continuous innovation and reliability. In 2002, Profurl was acquired by the Wichard Group, a French marine hardware manufacturer, becoming part of a portfolio that includes brands such as Wichard, Sparcraft, Lorima, and Facnor.

Product Lines

Product LinePositioningPrice Range
Racing FurlersHigh-performance systems for competitive sailing$2,000 - $8,000
Cruising FurlersRobust systems for everyday sailors and cruisers$1,200 - $5,000
Manual Headsail FurlersReliable furling systems with manual operation$800 - $4,500
Swivel LocksBenchmark equipment for offshore racing$400 - $2,000
StayfurlersSpecialized furling for staysails$1,000 - $4,000

Manufacturing

Profurl products are designed and manufactured in Pornichet on the west coast of France, ensuring quality control and consistency. Manufacturing is handled in-house by Profurl's team, with products delivered in modular sections and backed by a 10-year worldwide warranty.

Notable Products

  • Manual Headsail Furler - Core product line with 9 cruising models featuring double cage arms and redesigned feeder systems, available for boats 5-26 meters
  • Swivel Lock Systems - Benchmark equipment favored by Vendée Globe skippers and leading offshore racers
  • Racing Furlers - High-performance systems designed with input from Class 40 and IMOCA 60 competitors
  • Aerofoil Extrusion Furlers - Racing models equipped with black aerofoil extrusions for improved aerodynamics

Reputation

Profurl is regarded as a standard-bearer in the furling systems market, with over 40 years of expertise backing its reputation for reliability, longevity, and safety. The brand is trusted by professional offshore racers and recreational sailors alike, with particular recognition among high-performance racing communities. Profurl operates independently within the Wichard Group despite sharing technical similarities with sister brand Facnor, maintaining its focus on robust, standardized systems suited for everyday use. The brand's 10-year warranty on manual furlers reflects confidence in product durability and engineering quality.

Sources (10)
  1. https://www.profurl.com/en/about-us
  2. https://www.wichardgroupe.us/profurl
  3. https://www.profurl.com/en/news/10-reasons-why-profurl-manual-headsail-furler-comes-with-a-10-year-guarantee
  4. https://www.profurl.com/sites/profurl/files/2022-08/CatalogueProfurl2022_ENG_light.pdf
  5. https://www.sailingworld.com/sponsored-post/facnor-profurl-latest-furling-tech/
  6. https://www.profurl.com/sites/profurl/files/2023-05/CatalogueProfurl2023_ENG_web_manual_furlers.pdf
  7. http://marinewarehouse.net/images/profurl/2014-profurl-catalogue-217.pdf
  8. https://www.profurl.com/en
  9. https://www.profurl.com/sites/profurl/files/2026-02/Profurl_Tarif2026_GB_INDEXA_WEB_0.pdf
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc3DQJPHudg