Many winch manufacturers have switched to torlon bearings. If that doesn't demonstrate that they can take a load, then I give up. I'd like to know what furlers are not reccomended for reefing. I've been a rigger for 30 years and can't for the life of me remember which ones. Personally, I wouldn't put a furling system on my boat if I wasn't able to reef with it. But then again, all this is JMHO