JAWs wrote:

I am adding a trysail track to my Catalina 38. The mast has an
internal track for the main, and I'm adding an external track for the
trysail.

I have noticed that most of the tracks I've looked at extend down
almost to the cabin top. Is there a reason to do so? Also, I've been
told that the track should be on the starboard side, but not why it
should be there.

In tropical storms, like cyclones and hurricanes, winds rotate
counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere. Thus, if you find yourself on
the path of tropical storm, sailing on starboard tack would get you away
from the eye of the storm. Thus having the external trysail track on PORT
side would help setting the trysail.

If you sail into a tropical storm in the southern hemisphere, you would
avoid the eye of the storm by sailing on port tack, and thus the track
should be on starboard side.

Finding yourself on the path of a tropical storm in a Catalina might not be
a good idea..


Finally, I'm trying to decide where the track should
go. I'm thinking that it should be as far aft as possible, but offset
enough to be clear of the internal groove.

I will appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Jim Williams
Checks in the Mail
Norfolk, VA