wrote in message
...
On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:24:54 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:50:00 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

wrote in message
m...
On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:20:45 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
. ..

"Capt. JG" wrote:

I can't get my main to the top without a winch either, unless
there's
minimal wind.

External halyards and good slide/track mechanism makes most of that
go
away.

Had a 30ft Seafarer with a high aspect sail plan (small main, only
10
ft
boom) and external halyards.

Never had a problem with the main.


Lew




I have an in-mast halyard. I need to improve the slide/track
situation.

Tides Marine has an excellent system for a LOT less moola than Harken.
Makes the main feel like it's not even attached to the mast. About $25
a foot, complete, and you can install it yourself.



Did you install the receptacle on the sail yourself or did you have the
loft
do it?

Did it all myself. Only problem I had with the installation was that I
measured a little too tight for how the track fit into the mast, and
had a bit of a struggle getting it all the way up the mast slot. In
retrospect, It really doesn't need to be a terribly precise or tight
fit at all. I called and spoke to the guy who custom cuts the track a
few times, and he was great to deal with. I would recommend that you
talk to him on the phone after you take the measurements to tell him
what you came up with. He may even have measurements from a sister
ship to compare to what you find.

They send you a kit with plastic gauges and instructions for the
measuring. I think they charge a small fee for the kit, but ceredit it
back from your order.

If I had to do it over, I would take the measurements and ask them to
send a short sample piece first, especially if you play to install it
with the mast up. I'm guessing they would probably be willing to do
that. They really seem to want happy customers.



Sounds like a great company to work with. I've found a few of those out
there... actually care about customers or potential customers.

My main concern (slight pun intended) is the sail attachment. Reading
their
website, they recommend the loft do it, which is fine with me. That would
add a bit to the cost, but since I don't have time these days, money is
the
second choice. :-)

I didn't find that part of the job difficult at all, and wonder to
this day why they recommend havng the loft do that. I snipped off my
existing plastic slugs and simply used the remaining nylon web loops
that had held them, for the new slides, which mount using a pin with
cotter rings at each end. The batten swivels wrere no big deal either.
They pretty much covered where the old batten swivels had been, as
they are slightly larger.

Anyone with half a brain can do it, so you're IN! G



I think I think; therefore, I think I am.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com