Hobie Cat Forums

Just picked up a new parts boat to complete my 14T project, and this boat came with a Harken furler with no attachment points for the bridles (unlike the Hobie version furler). I think I can get away with attaching the bridles to the bottom of the furler with a shackle, but doesn't the 14T bridles have a plate rather than a loop on the "top end" of the bridle.

Simple question is that will the stock turbo bridles attach to the Harken furler via a shackle or will I have to have custom bridles made with loops on both ends?

If so, how long should the 14T bridles be?

Any other advise rather than a shackle to the bottom pin of the furler to attach the bridles?

Did any of the stock 14T's come with this set-up?

Stock Hobie 14 turbos never had Harken furlers. That is the biggest problem with the Harken. The poor connection of the bridles. It does require a shackle and the connection is not the best. The Hobie furler was designed for bridle wires.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Does that mean that this was a conversion? Are the stock hobie furlers prone to breaking?

Will the stock bridles work (I don't have any so I need to buy the right ones)

Thanks Matt! Never thought of that. I'll be sure to check.

Stock Hobie furlers are a better choice... not prone to failure. It was designed for the Hobie 18, but used on everything up to the 21 footer.

Yes, a 14 with a Harken furler would have been a retrofit kit of some kind.

I believe the stock bridles are used when using a Harken furler.

_________________
Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA