Hello,
Would anyone know the actual length of the main track on a 1983 Nonsuch 26? I need the actual length to add a Tides track and would like to have the length just right as the mast is installed on the boat.
Best regards,
Michael
Michael,
As I said in responding to your post about Tides tracks two weeks ago, I ordered 43’ when I bought Tides track for my previous Nonsuch, a 1983 N26C.
However, as I also said then, you’d be very well-advised to do the measurements on your own boat to be sure of what will actually work for you because there is some variation.
It’s easy to cut a too-long track down; there’s no great way to add to a too-short track.
I did the measurements on my boat with the mast up in the boat. It’s been a long time, but I think Tides supplied a gadget for doing it. However, an easy way to do it is to simply fasten a light line to the headboard shackle, raise the sail, pull the measurement line tight, mark it where you want the track to terminate, and measure the line after bringing down the sail.
If it’s not convenient to raise your sail at the dock, you can always do this on the water during a sailing outing.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Looking forward to seeing folks in Toronto:
https://nonsuch.org/2024-INA-International-Rendezvous-Status
Thanks Bob. I m going to hoist a line up tomorrow with someone with better eyes than me. Thanks,
Michael Gibson
157 Carling St
London ON
N6A 1H5
Michael,
As I said in responding to your post about Tides tracks two weeks ago, I ordered 43’ when I bought Tides track for my previous Nonsuch, a 1983 N26C.
However, as I also said then, you’d be very well-advised to do the measurements on your own boat to be sure of what will actually work for you because there is some variation.
It’s easy to cut a too-long track down; there’s no great way to add to a too-short track.
I did the measurements on my boat with the mast up in the boat. It’s been a long time, but I think Tides supplied a gadget for doing it. However, an easy way to do it is to simply fasten a light line to the headboard shackle, raise the sail, pull the measurement line tight, mark it where you want the track to terminate, and measure the line after bringing down the sail.
If it’s not convenient to raise your sail at the dock, you can always do this on the water during a sailing outing.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Looking forward to seeing folks in Toronto:
https://nonsuch.org/2024-INA-International-Rendezvous-Status
Just went through my emails and found the invoice from TidesMarine for the Strong Track for my 1982 26C. The time number was ST-100-EX-0875, external track 7/8". They sent 42 feet. I did cut it down slightly. I used a back saw and mitre box to make the cut at the top of the sail. The biggest concern was counter sinking the screw that holds the strong track in place and is located at the bottom of the strong track. It need to be deep enough so that the slides do not hit it when going on and not so deep that it goes right through the strong track. Mine was a pan head style screw so I needed a flat bit (Forstner).
According to the class rules the distance between the black band at the top of the mast and the base of the mast (Luff of Hoist) is 41’. The track has to be longer than that so the head board does not go above the track at full hoist. If you leave the strong track too long the halyard can drag across the end as the sail moves from side to side on a hoist.
Mark Powers
If you have a 50’ flexible cloth/fibreglass (or a 100’) roll-up tape measure, attach the end of the tape to the main halyard and raise the halyard until you are certain the TAPE is in the TOP position (enlist a buddy for 2 extra eyes and an opinion AND bring a pair of binocs). Tie off the halyard and slightly snug up the measuring tape (these tapes don’t stretch - don’t pull too hard). Simply take the measurement at the point where the TIDES track should end.
Then, play it real safe and order a bit extra and carefully cut it down. Or, live dangerously and order what you thing will be the exact length !!
This interesting idea might even work.
Ernie A. in Toronto
If I use a cloth tape to measure the mast, I pull it up with the halyard but I also attached a light retrieval line in case the tape breaks.
Mark Powers