Planning on adding the Tides marine Strong Track or similar to the boat this winter/spring. Was planning on leaving the mast up for the winter. Am I correct that it is possible to install the Strong Track with the mast up by feeding it through the front porthole in the cabin of a 30U? Has anyone actually done this?
Lloyd Herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY
Yes, I did it about 4 years ago. One tip is to do it on a warm sunny day, since a warmed-up track becomes more flexible, and so easier to handle. Another tip is that it’s basically a two-person job, wherein one can hoist the track upward using the halyard, while the other one can feed the track onto the existing track and push it upward from below in the cabin at the same time. Just remember to tie a retriever line onto your halyard shackle so you can retrieve the halyard and headboard slide you use to hoist the track . Soapy water lubrication helps too.
I see you have advice from others about interference from padeyes, so I’ll let them weigh in on that.
Ed Cook
“Chat-eau” N26C #173 on the Chesapeake
In a message dated 09/22/09 10:11:45 Eastern Daylight Time, hermanlim@MINDSPRING.COM writes:
I think this depends on how your mast is set up. Send pictures.
Ed
I installed a Tides Strong Track last week with no problems at all other than removing pad eye below the existing track. I simple pushed the new track up the mast w/o the need of a lubricant or use of the halyard, and did the job from the fore deck. Total time to install the track was less than 15 minutes and the existing screw that held on the gate at the bottom of the old track, fit perfectly into the pre drilled hole on the Strong Track.
I now can pull the sail up 2/3 of the way by hand from the cockpit and the balance is cranked up using half the strength required in the past and, as reported: It does “drop like a rock”.
Regards, George Pacharis
NS30U #343 West River, MD
Hi Lloyd
It can be done but best on hot days. I have a short piece of the track ( 12 inches) that I lend to folks contemplating this adventure. When hoisted up the track it will indicate if problems exist with alignment or loose rivets or bent track. It sure saves a lot of aggravation rather then being committed with a 40 foot plus piece of black plastic doing whatever in the cabin.
Cheers
Mike Quill
Need Mast and Rigging repairs or replacement?
Go To http://www.mqyr.com
PS; I forgot to mention that the installation was a one man job and that the key to simplicity was keeping the Strong Track in the roll/coil as it came from the factory. The factory coils the Strong Track and ships it in a 3’coil with numerous wire ties at various intervals in the coil. So, you begin feeding the top of the track onto the old track and snip the next tie as you proceed to feed the new track up the mast. The ties are located at about every 6’ on the coil so there is never a need to uncoil 43’ of track and have it hanging about your boat. One person – 15 minutes – could not have been easier!
George Pacharis
NS30U #343 West River, MD
I fed mine up the mast. The last few feet took 2 people but it was relatively easy.
Joel