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Submitted
on November 26, 2002 by James Reedy
Question: Greetings:
I have a 1999 Nordic Folkboat made in Kerteminde by Folkebådcentralen.
The interior of one wall of a portion of the slot has split off slightly
- widening the slot for about 4 feet ... making it even more difficult
to raise and lower the sail (The luff head leaves the slot). I would like
to have some track/battcar system installed to make it easier to raise/lower/reef
the main from the cockpit. Obviously, I will need a new sail. Full questions
and answers below:
Answer:
Q1: Can your batten cars be installed on a wooden mast?
A1: North Sails supplies the sails with full battens that plug
into adjustable recepticals at the luff end. The recepticals will accept
the universal joint and slider for any luff track or luff car system (sail
slides, Harken, Antal, Fredrickson, Tides etc). The only issue with a
wooden mast compared to an aluminum or carbon mast is that we have to
be even more careful that the luff hardware does not rub on the mast when
the sail is eased way out on a run. That has more to do with the height
of the track than the sail.
Q2. Is 5 inches between
the top of the sail slot and the pulley enough?
A2: Yes, that is plenty of clearance.
Q3: Does the curve of the mast matter?
A3: No.
Q4: Can slugs be used within
the wooden slot ... or must the slot be cut off so that a track can be
installed? Or is there some other solution?
A4:Tracks can be installed with slugs, screws or glue. I don't
think cutting the slot off is good idea.
Q5: Can I still use the
metal halyard ... and how would I tension it from the cockpit?
A5: There is no reason why the wire halyard would not work if it
were still in good condition. However, you will probably be better off
with a high modulus rope halyard, especially if you intend to lead it
the the cockpit. If you change to a rope halyard you will have to change
the sheaves as well.
Q6: Can I use the existing
wooden boom ... with the cars ... and with a single-line reefing system?
A6: Yes. You will have to figure out how to make upwards facing
sheaves at the forward end of the boom.
Q7: Will lazy-jacks work
with the wooden boom?
A7: Yes.
Regards, Dan Neri and Ed Broberg
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