Answers
The questions we actually get asked.
Our most common questions we get asked. If yours is not here, call us at 904-600-4105 and speak to a technician. It’s free to hear us speak about our passion.
Soup to nuts
How it works.
What is 3DFurler?
3DFurler is a modular self-standing roller-furler system, designed to be installed from the deck level, no rigging removal and no mast attachments.
What material is 3DFurler made from?
All of 3DFurler roller furlers main components; Top, Foils and the Drum are made from ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) which is a full UV safe, Strongest material for Marine and Industrial applications.
How can ASA be strong enough to handling tough sailing conditions?
It comes down to where the load actually goes. Your forestay, a stainless steel wire, carries the rig tension. Our 3D Furler wraps around it, so the ASA components never take that load. Their job is to rotate the sail cleanly, hold the luff, and transfer furling torque.
Wind loads on a furled or partially furled sail act as rotational force and side pressure spread along the full length of the foil, not as one concentrated pull. We design for that: thick walls, dense infill, and interlocking segments that share the load across the whole assembly rather than letting any single point carry it.
ASA itself was developed for outdoor durability. It resists UV breakdown, salt spray, and moisture far better than common plastics, holds its shape in summer heat on deck, and stays tough rather than brittle in the cold. Automotive trim and outdoor fixtures use it for the same reasons.
The result is a system where the steel does the heavy structural work and the ASA does what it does best: staying strong, stable, and weather-proof season after season.
Does 3DFurler require rigging removal?
No. 3DFurler uses a clamp-on top-and-drum configuration with interlocking sliding foils that encircle the stay. Stand at the bow and install upwards. When all the foils are on, you insert & tighten the drum. The system is self-supporting, held by its own integrated halyard and rotates as ONE single moving assembly.
See our YouTube video
What keeps it from sliding down to the deck?
The turnbuckle stud shoulder supports the load which stops the system sliding downward. For scale: a 50-foot system with a sail is usually under 100 lbs. A turnbuckle, stay and deck will support thousands of pounds. See our YouTube Video
What is an axially designed bearing drum?
Our drum is built around the forestay itself. The wire runs straight through the center of the hub, keeping the drum perfectly aligned along its axis and giving it vertical stability. The drum sits on the shoulder and stud of your existing wire terminal, which carries the load and serves as the pivot point. With the wire keeping everything centered and the load resting on a small, solid contact point, the drum spins freely, with up to 95% less friction. Because it works with your existing hardware, it fits all standard wire connections. One moving part.
Does the existing jib halyard still hoist the sails?
No. Sails are hoisted on their own halyard, running externally and parallel to the foils, securely tensioned and easy to inspect for wear when the sail is fully unfurled. When the sail is furled, the halyards are neatly aligned inside sail at the luff. Your existing jib halyard is freed up for other jobs. There are two Luff Channels and capacity for two halyards. Use the other side for light air sails, poles etc.
Can I use 3DFurler behind the mast?
Yes. The furler works at any angle on any stay. Add a stay 3 to 4 inches behind the boom to give the drum clearance and install as normal — the main will be loose footed. See behind-the-mast furling.
Sizing and installation
Will it fit, and how long does it take.
Will 3DFurler fit my sailboat?
Yes. Fit any stay length from 15 to 55 feet, with stay wire diameters from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch. Larger sizes are a custom fit.
Systems are sold by the foot, which saves you money and materials — you are not paying for offcuts.
How long does installation take?
Most installations are under two hours, on deck, with the mast up, in the water or on the hard. You need an unobstructed stay from the turnbuckle connection to the top of the mast. See the installation guide. Whether you’re at anchor, dock or yard, system installation is easy to do it yourself.
3DFurler for life
Warranty, trial and repairs.
What is the warranty?
We provide a free Lifetime warranty against design and manufacturing defects. Claims simply need video proof rather than a return shipment. Full terms on the warranty page.
What is this “no risk” deal?
60 days to install, 30 days to try it, 10 days to return it. No questions asked — all we ask is a video showing you used it on your boat. You take it down, pack it up and send it back. See details here.
What happens if I damage a foil?
It’s very unlikely you will damage a foil or any component for that fact under normal use. ASA Terpolymer is UV stable, strong and won’t kink like aluminum. It can be exposed in winter with or without a sail, rained on, take direct sunlight and high winds. Unless you have a need to change the stay, we suggest leaving it on.
In the event a mishap occurs, each of the foils are two halves in a 12-6-12 interlock inch pattern, not the whole extrusion. That is most of the point of a modular stack. Single Foil replacements are always free; you just pay the shipping if it’s not warranty.
Go deeper
Longer answers, separate pages.
Comparison
3D printed vs aluminum
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Owners
Testimonials
Pricing
DIY or Rigger?
Engineering
The whitepaper
Failure modes
The deadly halyard wrap
Not covered here?
Call or email and we will help you work out whether 3DFurler is right for your boat.