Technology
By Wednesday?
An America’s Cup team needs a new custom furler in a hurry, not a problem when you have a pedigree as good as this...
The KZ Racefurlers product line coming from KZ Marine has evolved and diversified over the past quarter of a century but the New Zealand company has remained rock solid on the founding principle that if a stock item does not meet the requirement, it will devote every effort in customising a solution that does. From small beginnings, KZ Racefurlers has grown into a major player in the production of furling systems for grand prix race boats and superyachts, all the way through to club racers and cruisers. With the rise of Code Zero type sails and multiple staysail set-ups on large race yachts, efficient furling systems play an increasing role in high- performance sailing.
‘We produce furlers, swivels and top down adaptors with safe working loads from small one- ton units for seven-metre yachts up to a 45-ton unit we are currently working on for a 38m racing superyacht currently in build in Europe,’ says KZ Racefurlers general manager James Gordon.
68 SEAHORSE
Aside from the standard range, which comes in Inshore and Offshore configurations, KZ Racefurlers prides itself on bespoke solutions for clients at the America’s Cup, grand prix or superyacht level needing something different. This is done under their Xtreme series banner, replacing stainless steel parts with titanium and machining from a higher grade alloy to produce a low-profile, light and strong furling component. ‘For example, just this morning we got a call from an America’s Cup team. They want a new component for their Code Zero furling system and need it delivered offshore on Wednesday. It is now Friday. We will machine it over the weekend ready to go by courier on Monday night, fully finished.’
At the top end, much of what KZ Marine does is this type of highly specialised customisation driven by top racing sailors with an eye for detail born of thousands of miles of frontline experience.
‘They will come to us with ideas
Above: the 2019 Sydney Hobart race winner (and curent course record holder) Comanche uses KZ Racefurlers for all furling sails on board, the largest being a 30T SWL unit for the J1 genoa. KZ was also commis- sioned to manufacture an array of custom deck gear parts for the Comanche project
that maybe go 50 per cent towards what needs to happen,’ Gordon explains. ‘Then it is up to us to develop that concept in-house, which may take two or three design iterations before it becomes a finished product.’
This continuous dialogue and the company’s willingness to adapt and deliver quick-fire solutions ratchets up a process of constant refinement, which ultimately feeds back into the standard range – driving up the overall quality.
‘We also work closely with the major sailmakers to keep pace with the new style of free-flying headsails they are developing, which often require top-down furling systems,’ says Gordon. ‘Additionally over the past two years we have added service and distribution networks in both Palma de Mallorca and the UK to help expand our product line and ease of contact in the European market, which has been great for us.’ KZ Marine began life as a one-man company producing pressed shackles
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118
