A Code 0 transforms your light-air performance. But the furler that rolls it up and down matters just as much as the sail itself. A poor match between furler and boat means tangled wraps, slow furling and a Code 0 that stays in the bag on days it should be flying.
Four brands dominate the Code 0 furler market: Selden, Profurl, Harken and Facnor. At 123Furling we sell all four, which means we can compare them side by side without favouring one over the other. This comparison is based on technical specifications, construction and what we see come back (or not come back) for service.
The four systems at a glance
Selden CX is the Swedish entry. Compact, lightweight and built around duplex stainless steel structural parts. Four models from 50 to 200 m² sail area. Prices start from €777.
Profurl NEX V2 comes from France and covers the widest range: seven models from 35 to 350 m². The standard V2 starts from €921. The NEX V2R adds the patented FurlAssist ratchet and goes up to 450 m² in nine models, starting from €1,048.
Harken Reflex is the American system, built around Torlon bearings and a unique cable-less option. Three units for boats from 6.7 to 16.5 metres. Prices start from €1,015.
Facnor FX+ is the other French contender. Known for the monoblock CNC-machined drum, carbon housing and optional Start and Go ratchet. Four models from 30 to 140 m² sail area. Prices start from €845.
Anti-torsion cable: the biggest technical divide
All four systems use the same basic principle: an anti-torsion (AT) cable integrated in the luff of your Code 0 sail transfers torque from the drum at the bottom to the halyard swivel at the top. When you pull the furling line, the entire luff rotates and the sail wraps around itself.
But Harken breaks from this pattern. The Reflex system offers a cable-less configuration for modern Code 0 sails with load-carrying fibres built directly into the luff. No separate AT-cable means less weight aloft and a cleaner furl. The head swivel attaches directly to the sail. This only works with sails specifically designed for cable-less furling, so check with your sailmaker first.
If you have a conventional Code 0 with an external AT-cable, all four systems handle that equally well. Selden and Facnor use thimble connections at both ends. Profurl uses their I-Connect quick-fit system. Harken offers a Reflex torsion cable with braided stainless steel filaments over a Dyneema core, which provides high torsional rigidity with minimal stretch.
Bearings and drum construction
Selden CX uses sealed steel bearings in both the drum and the halyard swivel. The structural parts are duplex stainless steel, which is stronger than standard 316 stainless at lower weight. Metal teeth in the drum grip the furling line firmly, and a wedge-shaped line guide separates the line from the drum when unfurling so the drum spins freely. The non-structural parts are glass fibre reinforced polyamide.
Profurl NEX runs on 100C6 carbon steel ball bearings, sealed and maintenance-free. The housing is anodised aluminium with the Tune & Lock system that lets you adjust the swivel position with a single screw. What stands out is the XXL spool diameter: a larger drum means more line per revolution, so furling is faster with less effort. The S-Grip groove pattern on the spool reduces line wear and prevents slipping.
Harken Reflex uses Torlon ball bearings, the same polymer Harken uses in their racing blocks. Torlon is self-lubricating and virtually maintenance-free. The drive disc is 6061-T6 anodised aluminium with offset holes that grip the rope securely during furling. The housing is flexible polycarbonate, designed so you can feed the line in without tools. A stripper and feeder mechanism prevents the furling line from jamming.
Facnor FX+ takes a different approach. The drum is CNC-machined from a single piece of anodised aluminium, what Facnor calls the monoblock design. This makes it extremely stiff. The housing is carbon, which keeps weight down and ensures smooth line run. Bearings are sealed and maintenance-free. The line guide is stainless steel to prevent the furling line from overriding.
The ratchet question
A ratchet prevents the drum from spinning backwards when you release the furling line. Without one, the sail can start unfurling the moment you stop pulling. Shorthanded sailing or choppy conditions make this a real problem.
Profurl has the most mature ratchet system. The FurlAssist on the V2R engages automatically in both directions. The pawl stays locked during furling, allowing you to release the line temporarily without losing progress. In light winds or with smaller sails, you can remove the ratchet entirely with two screws. The SPEED variants (NEX2.5 and NEX4.0) have a more compact spool for racing.
Facnor offers the Start and Go ratchet as an option. Built in duplex stainless steel, it locks the drum automatically during furling. Available as a retrofit on the FX+1500 through FX+7000 models.
Selden and Harken do not offer a ratchet option on their Code 0 furlers. The CX relies on the line friction from the metal teeth in the drum. The Reflex depends on line management at the cockpit.
At 123Furling, we recommend a ratchet for boats over 40 feet or anyone regularly sailing shorthanded. For smaller boats in protected waters, it is a convenience rather than a necessity.
Quick-release and sail changes
How quickly can you attach and detach the sail? This matters when you switch between a Code 0 and a gennaker, or when you drop everything before entering a harbour.
Harken leads here with the modular T-fitting. Pull one spring-loaded pin and the tack assembly disconnects. One drive unit handles multiple sails. The rolled Code 0 drops to the deck and you clip on the next sail in under a minute.
Facnor has a similar Quick Connection: a spring-loaded quick release with captive pin. One click to attach, one click to detach. With the optional Fast Thimble adapter, you can also use the FX+ for top-down gennaker furling.
Profurl uses the I-Connect system: pull the ball, the connection opens. Quick and reliable, though the line still needs feeding through the Quick Fit slot.
Selden uses a spring-loaded lock with thimble connections. Secure, but not as fast as the Harken T-fitting for repeated sail changes.
Price comparison
Prices below are our current prices including VAT. Code 0 furlers are sized by sail area and maximum working load, so your final price depends on your sail size and boat displacement.
| System | Ratchet | From price | Max sail area | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selden CX | No | €777 | 200 m² | 4 |
| Facnor FX+ | Optional | €845 | 140 m² | 4 |
| Profurl NEX V2 | No | €921 | 350 m² | 7 |
| Harken Reflex | No | €1,015 | 158 m² | 3 |
| Profurl NEX V2R | Yes (FurlAssist) | €1,048 | 450 m² | 9 |
Which Code 0 furler suits you?
Best value for cruisers under 45 feet: The Selden CX does what it needs to do at the lowest price. Duplex stainless construction, sealed bearings, no fuss. The CX-15 covers most boats up to about 7.7 tonnes displacement. Practical Sailor rated the CX a Budget Buy for good reason.
Shorthanded sailing or larger boats: The Profurl NEX V2R with FurlAssist ratchet gives you control that other systems cannot match. Release the line, the ratchet holds. Nine models up to 450 m² means it covers everything from a 30-footer to an 80-foot superyacht.
Cable-less Code 0 sails: The Harken Reflex is the only system here with a dedicated cable-less configuration. If your sailmaker builds load-carrying fibres into the luff, Harken is the natural match. The Torlon bearings are effectively maintenance-free.
Frequent sail changes: Harken's T-fitting or Facnor's Quick Connection are the fastest to disconnect. If you switch between Code 0 and gennaker regularly, these systems save real time on the foredeck.
Reliable all-rounder with ratchet option: The Facnor FX+ sits between the CX and the Reflex in price, with the monoblock drum, carbon housing and optional ratchet. Practical Sailor's long-term test named the FX a Best Choice for its durability and sealed bearings.
Comparison table
| Selden CX | Profurl NEX V2R | Harken Reflex | Facnor FX+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Sweden | France | USA | France |
| Bearings | Sealed steel | 100C6 carbon steel | Torlon polymer | Sealed, greased |
| Bearing maintenance | Rinse | Maintenance-free | Maintenance-free | Maintenance-free |
| Drum material | Duplex SS | Anodised aluminium | 6061-T6 aluminium | CNC monoblock aluminium |
| Housing | Glass fibre/PA | Aluminium | Polycarbonate | Carbon |
| Ratchet available | No | Yes (FurlAssist) | No | Optional (Start & Go) |
| Cable-less option | No | No | Yes | No |
| Quick release | Spring lock | I-Connect | T-fitting | Quick Connection |
| Max sail area | 200 m² | 450 m² | 158 m² | 140 m² |
| Number of models | 4 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| From price | €777 | €1,048 | €1,015 | €845 |
Need help choosing?
The right Code 0 furler depends on your sail, your boat and how you sail. Your sail area, maximum working load and whether your Code 0 uses an anti-torsion cable or cable-less construction all affect the choice. Not sure which model fits? Use our product advisor to narrow down by boat type, or get in touch for personal advice from the 123Furling team.
Also read our Code 0 vs gennaker furler comparison if you are still deciding which type of flying sail furler you need, or our genoa furler comparison for forestay roller furling systems.
