Tides Sailtrack ordering

[Nick J]

We're getting down to the detail on our rerigging project. One of the items on the list is to add a Tides track to the mast. We have a few questions:

1.) The boat has a Kenyon 4873 mast with a K-73540 internal luff track (part numbers from Rigrite.com). The measuring guides indicate a #4 lip thickness, but it's between a Q and R slot width. Q is a little loose and R is somewhat of a friction fit but it does seem to fit. The track is painted, which leads me to believe R is the correct fit. What have other 35-3 and similar owners ordered?

2.) The sail has batten receptacles with pins that look like they would fit the SH-403 slide, but the site doesn't have specific information on the pin dimensions. The batten receptacle pins measure .375" diameter with a 1" shank that fits into the slide sleeve. The shank has a threaded end that receives a 1/2" nut. Would this work with the SH-403 slide or do I need to replace the batten receptacle on the sail?


SH-403


I sent the same questions to Tides, but I thought it would be good to ask here as well.

 

[Nick J]

Tides responded really quickly over the phone. He said to go with the smaller slot width R instead of Q. He said they provide the guides because there's so much variability in 40 year old masts that it's better to measureit instead of expecting the part to match. He said the paint on my mast would probably add too much friction to get the Q width to slide all the way to the top.

For the slides, he confirmed the SH-403 would work, but recommended we replace the whole batten pocket because the SH-403 tends to point load and stick in the track. After going through the effort to install the track, it's not worth saving a few bucks if it results in more friction.

They were great to work with and really helpful. We should receive the track in a few weeks. I probably won't be able to install it and test it for a few months, but we're headed in the right direction.

 

[Loren Beach]

Regarding 'sticking' in the track, I wonder if the slides would all benefit from an annual dose of "MacLube" just like my conventional slides do?

 

[toddster]

Tides responded really quickly over the phone. He said to go with the smaller slot width R instead of Q. He said they provide the guides because there's so much variability in 40 year old masts that it's better to measureit instead of expecting the part to match. He said the paint on my mast would probably add too much friction to get the Q width to slide all the way to the top.

For the slides, he confirmed the SH-403 would work, but recommended we replace the whole batten pocket because the SH-403 tends to point load and stick in the track. After going through the effort to install the track, it's not worth saving a few bucks if it results in more friction.

They were great to work with and really helpful. We should receive the track in a few weeks. I probably won't be able to install it and test it for a few months, but we're headed in the right direction.

?? That sounds backwards from the previous post.

I recently installed one of those tracks and believe me, what seems like insignificant friction on the test piece becomes almost insurmountable resistance over fifty feet. In the end, I only got it up by using the hardware from the test article to attach a halyard and winching it up. Not the approved method. I'm not sure how I'd ever get it down again.

Also kind of disappointed with the performance. The sail still doesn't drop on its own. Maybe too much mast bend?

 

[Loren Beach]

The sail still doesn't drop on its own.

I wonder if there is something odd about the mast/track/install, or ... ?

I know several guys with this added track (and full disclosure, a local sail agent that sells them) and everyone sez that their main drops all the way down instantly and amazingly. When new, disconcertingly.

 

[Nick J]

?? That sounds backwards from the previous post.

I recently installed one of those tracks and believe me, what seems like insignificant friction on the test piece becomes almost insurmountable resistance over fifty feet. In the end, I only got it up by using the hardware from the test article to attach a halyard and winching it up. Not the approved method. I'm not sure how I'd ever get it down again.

Also kind of disappointed with the performance. The sail still doesn't drop on its own. Maybe too much mast bend?

Yup, you're right. I said it backwards. Tides said to go with smaller Q profile that had a little play rather than the tighter R profile. They gave the same reasoning you said.