Is this what you're looking for? Phil McGovern s/v Sunshine
Re: [Liveaboard] About to install sail track. Peter Gelinas Fri, 02 Nov 2007 05:01:47 -0800 Jim, since you are the 'thrifty' kind, perhaps there is another option to consider. The Tide marine tracks are made of UHMW-PE which seems to mean ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. So the track is made of a slick 'plastic' material, and the slides of (I believe) polished metal. I suggest it should work the other way around, UHMW-PE slides in a metal track. You have a metal track in your mast. Your problem is that the slides of your mainsail won't move easily enough in your track. Since UHMW-PE is readily available, it might be worthwhile attempting to replace your present slides with slides made of UHMW-PE. Any shop working with 'plastic' would be able to make them for you at a fraction of the price of the Tide system. Batten slides have a long mating surface in the tracks. I believe this keeps the slide from 'kinking' ie: keeps it's surface parallel to the track, and it distributes the load over a larger surface. I would make the slides so they had twice the mating surface they do now, for the reason stated above. I would run a cleaning rag with 'Varsol' or other paint thinner up and down in your track. You could do that by unhooking the top two slides from your sail. Attach a cord to the top one as a 'downhaul', attach your halyard to the bottom one for the 'uphaul'. The rag will stay wedged between the two. Do that a couple of dozen times, change the rag often, also use a rag with water and detergent, a couple of hours of easy work and your present track should be completely clean. If the cloth comes back with holes or abrasion, then the track has been damaged and Eric's sandpaper (emery cloth) operation goes into effect. Most sprays (oil, silicon etc) will ultimately dry out and collect dirt, that's why Tide recommends clear water. HOWEVER there is a product called Sailkote which is used by really knowledgeable competitive sailors and seems to be recommended by Harken. I have never used Sailkote because my sail comes down easily if I 'wiggle' the boat back and forth into the wind (and remember to tighten the topping lift sufficiently) (smile) Peter > I'm looking at the Tide Marine version. I wonder if anyone would care > to > comment on my choice, pro or con. > Jim> S/V Wind Angel, St. Simons Isle. Georgia. _________________________________________________________________ R U Ready for Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.5? Try it today! http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/WindowsLiveMessenger _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] On Feb 11, 2008 12:23 PM, Philip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Some time ago there was a discussion about a low friction sail track > insert that slipped inside the mast. It was relatively inexpensive and was > highly recommended. I am unable to find the message or the product on line. > No it is not the "Strong" track insert. Any help? > > > *Philip & Marilyn Lange > AE4OV & KD4JRC, > * ORYOKI > *Witness 35 Catamaran > > * > > _______________________________________________ > Liveaboard mailing list > [email protected] > To adjust your membership settings over the web > http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard > To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ > > To search the archives > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > The Mailman Users Guide can be found here > http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html >
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