Seldén SMF - Synchronized Main Furling
by Mats-Uno Fredrikson & Mark Jardine 25 Nov 2019 12:00 UTC
Seldén SMF - Synchronized Main Furling © Seldén Mast
Last year Seldén launched the new version of Furlex Electric, an electric driven jib furler. Now they are moving aft, powering up the furling mast and also launching a whole new electric winch. All functions are based on their Power Supply System converting 12V or 24V to 42V. This allows for smaller motors and thinner cables.
Seldén's Director of Marketing Mats-Uno Fredrikson explains. "Our ambition is to simplify life on board for all those sailors cruising around in a reasonable large yacht but with a small crew. They are focusing on convenience and safety and by upgrading the furling mast to electric drive and by replacing one or two manual winches to electric, they have come a long way. "
E40i - Electric winch that is completely above deck
The coach roof is normally the ideal place for a winch that operates halyards, reef lines, outhaul and control lines. The E40i winch is built up around an electric motor which is totally integrated in the drum. Only three thin cables are protruding to lead through the coach roof or the deck, no large cutouts and no external motor or gearbox. This makes for uncompromised headroom down below which is normally not the case with electric winches.
The three speed operation provides a high speed gear, a moderate gear and a low speed gear for fine tuning. It is a two finger operation to start the winch and to swich gear, so a single-handed sailor can helm while operating the winch.
E40i will be available with a black anodized aluminium drum and, alternatively, a drum in stainless steel. Recommended retail price for the E40i winch and the required Power Supply System converting 12V/24V to 42V will be approximately €2900 (stainless) / €2790 (aluminium), excluding VAT.
SMF - Synchronized Main Furling
A retrofitable motor in the furling mast is synchronized with the E40i winch. The mast motor feeds out the sail while the electric winch is tensioning the outhaul. All is controlled by the push of a single button. The speed of the E40i winch is automatically adjusted to the load in the outhaul. If the load exceeds a certain level, the winch will reduce its power to avoid overload. To furl the sail back in to the mast the outhaul is released while pushing a button.
The mast motor, the E40i winch and the Power Supply System will sell at €6300 excluding VAT.
The labour cost for installation is not included.