Anyone who’s ever eased into a tight harbor, winding river, or shallow cove knows the feeling — your traditional depth sounder shows what’s beneath your boat, but what about what’s ahead?

That shiny aluminum extrusion on the forestay might not seem like a ticking clock, but it is. If the furler is original to the boat, there is a very good chance the headstay inside is just as old. Stainless wire rigging has a limited lifespan, and the forestay is especially vulnerable because it lives its entire life hidden inside the furler. It is an enclosed, moisture-prone space where corrosion and metal fatigue can go unseen. Plus, getting parts for these older units is extremely difficult.