Sail Track Replacement

[JChorlton]

So ...I've pulled the mast and most bits look good (aside from the crusty mast step). I'm thinking that I'll have to drill the rivets on the sail track, have it stripped separately and re-use it. To reduce the friction I might have to install either the Battcar system or the Strong Track system.

My sail-maker likes the Strong Track system https://www.tidesmarine.com/?page_id=61 and seems to think it would work best (no joints, less of an offset from the mast and reduced stack height of the slides). Does anyone here have any experience with the working life of the Strong Track UHMW-PE track? Would these have a lifespan similar to my black Delrin sheaves?

[Stumble]

I have never used the strong track (that I am aware of), but the reviews on it are very good. When I priced it out for my boat though it was more than half the price of the harken system. So I went with the harken for a few reasons.

1) I knew it was good because we use it on a 50' Colombia I race on, and it is amazing
2) harken is a major company with exallent customer support
3) the price was only about 50% more
4) while I trust slides, I have never seen one that worked as well as ball bearings to reduce friction


That being said I have no feeling that the strong track is a bad unit, I just didn't feel the price was enough less to justify it.

[Jim Fulton]

I installed the Strong Track on my Bristol 34 in, I think, 2001. It appears to be virtually indestructible and is practically friction-free in operation. Far from having to pull the sail down, I hold the halyard with one hand to control the sail's descent and do a preliminary flake with the other hand. And no ball bearings to bind up!

Jim Fulton