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Sail & Rigging - Swan41 mainsail ballslide system
15 November 2011 - 20:49
#1
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robellis
Join Date: 30 January 2007
Posts: 15

Swan41 mainsail ballslide system
I have ordered non-laminate sails from North Sails for my Swan 41 (see my thread of October 24), so thanks to everyone who helped with this decision. I now have a dilemma about the ballslide system I hope to fit. It turns out that the Ronstan series 6 originally specified will require an additional track fixed to the original Nautor system. This has escalated the cost to 4250 GBP plus fitting. I am not sure I want to pay this premium for easing the handling of what is actually a relatively small main. Does anyone have any more cost effective recommendation for improvements on the standard plastic slide system?
16 November 2011 - 08:50
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the professor
Join Date: 02 January 2008
Posts: 1547

Robellis
Suggest you check if there is a Rutgerson car where the wheels would run on the aft surfaces of the track.
www.rutgerson.se
Kind regards
Lars
16 November 2011 - 10:53
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robellis
Join Date: 30 January 2007
Posts: 15

Thanks Lars. I shall investigate and post my findings.

Rob
23 November 2011 - 23:54
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gavin
Join Date: 02 February 2007
Posts: 126

Rob, I never found this an issue because the main is relatively small on the 41 and the deck is flat so its easy to get to. The only thing I did a few times a year was to spray the track and slides with some Harken lubricant and it was never a problem. Gavin
26 November 2011 - 18:49
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robellis
Join Date: 30 January 2007
Posts: 15

Rob, I never found this an issue because the main is relatively small on the 41 and the deck is flat so its easy to get to. The only thing I did a few times a year was to spray the track and slides with some Harken lubricant and it was never a problem. Gavin

Thanks Gavin. I think we are close to arriving at that conclusion too. We had hoped for some magical solution that would allow us to drop the main whilst running in a raising gale. But plastic slides will do.
13 December 2011 - 11:16
#6
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John Bailey
Join Date: 01 February 2007
Posts: 234

Rob, I went through the same process and to help with main sail handling got the sailmaker to increase the length of the battens. This has made a noticeable difference in terms of stowing.

John B  
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