On Sat, 18 Nov 2006 23:08:43 -0500, in message

Larry wrote:

I remember the "best trim" we had on a brand new Beneteau out in Charleston
Harbor. The main got stuck furled in the mast and the new owner tried to
"outhaul it" to straighten it out in the little slot. The boom car on its
little track popped off and little roller balls flew off in all
directions....

Those little balls can be painful. I was sitting on the rail when our
traveler exploded and wound up with some painful little blue pock
marks on my back. I'm glad I was looking away.

Bottom line: pick a system that will still restrain the sail even if
the balls fail or vanish.

Ryk

Ryk wrote in
:

Those little balls can be painful. I was sitting on the rail when our
traveler exploded and wound up with some painful little blue pock
marks on my back. I'm glad I was looking away.

"Yes, your honor. If it please the court, I'd like to show you my wounded
shoulder where THEIR schrapnel punctured my skin.", you tell the judge
during the civil trial for $12M in damages...plus lawyer fees and court
costs, of course...(c;


Bottom line: pick a system that will still restrain the sail even if
the balls fail or vanish.



No balls on the Amel. The traveler and outhaul car have big roller bearing
wheels that look like they belong on a monorail train on them....

They should for that much money, right?

Larry
--
Halloween candy sure has dropped in price, lately!