When determining the length of the Tides Marine SailTrack, how much shorter should this SailTrack be than the existing metal track to allow for the bending of this mast in significant wind, yet tall enough for the sail. The gentleman at Tides Marine suggests that the SailTrack be 4 inches shorter than the metal track leaving a 4 inch space at the top of the track.
Thanks,
Bob McPeek
Pau Hana, NS 30C
San Francisco, CA
I think that’s about what I have, Bob.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I just replaced mine with a new sailtrack. The old one was 4.5” short of the top of the metal track. The new sailtrack was the same length. I think that the distance between the top of the metal rail and the top of the mast is also important according to Tides website, but I was just replacing an existing system so it didn’t really matter to me.
S Hall
#510
Michigan
Hi Steve,
Thank you very much for this information. Is your Nonsuch 30’?
Bob
Hey Bob, yes, it is a 30u. The previous owner installed the Sailtrack and last year it started coming apart. Not sure if you’ve changed one out before, but it was a very easy job. Took me one hour total. Hope yours goes as well! Let me know if you have any Q’s.
Steve Hall
30u #510
Mariner’s Cat 3
Suttons Bay, MI
Hi Steve,
Thank you. I had a sailtrack installed about 12 years ago. It started coming apart last fall. The measurements weren’t correct, so I wanted to get it right this time. I’d say you got me on the right track. Thanks again.
Bob McPeek
Pau Hana, NS 30C
San Francisco, CA
Hey Bob, yes, it is a 30u. The previous owner installed the Sailtrack and last year it started coming apart. Not sure if you’ve changed one out before, but it was a very easy job. Took me one hour total. Hope yours goes as well! Let me know if you have any Q’s.
Steve Hall
30u #510
Mariner’s Cat 3
Suttons Bay, MI
When I replaced mine Tides had the order for the original one, from 2003! I found their service to be outstanding