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Image credit - C-Tech

A snuffer is a simple, reliable method of dousing an asymmetric spinnaker. Despite advances in furling technology, snuffers remain the first choice for many offshore race yachts such as Class 40 and IMOCA. In this blog we look at how to select the correct length of snuffer for your sail, why snuffers dominate in short-handed offshore racing and where a furling asymmetric might be preferred. To help answer these questions we sat down with Nathan Steffenoni, co-director of OneSails GBR South. As you might expect, the considerations are very much case dependent, so Nathan was keen to caveat many of his responses. 

The Karver KF V3 range is now available at upfront.com. With this latest iteration of their popular KF furlers, Karver have moved away from dedicated top down drums in favour of a more flexible modular system.

This blog will outline the accessories available for the KF V3 range and help you identify what will fit best into your set up.

The Karver range of furling units has come a long way in the last 10-15 years, with each aspect of the design seeing incremental improvements. Captive pins with quick release mechanisms are almost universal on furling drums and swivels these days and they too have seen considerable development. The quick release mechanisms rely on small springs which can get damaged and require replacement. This blog will outline the evolution of the Karver captive pin systems and help you identify the correct replacement spring kit for your Karver furler.

Image credit :© Karver

“Sailing faster or with less effort is often limited due to poor equipment ”- Marin Clausin: Karver CEO. Reputed for their innovation, the French sailing hardware manufacturer has added a new product to their furler family. Years of experience in offshore racing and cruising equipment has been brought together into this innovative “baby Karver furler”, the KF0.9”.

Image credits: Facnor 

The top-down adapter, also known as a tack swivel, is an increasingly popular evolution of the top-down furling system. This technique provides cruisers and racers alike, simplicity, safety and speed for the handling of loose luff sails such as asymmetric spinnakers and gennakers.