Erwin Swart
Member
is there a benefit for one over the other?
It's not the mast car that changes performance, except making it easier to raise and lower the sail, it's the full battens that give the sail, especially an old one a shape that improves performance.difference in performance
I had the track fitted in to the mast groove on the last boat with ball bearing cars. I find the cars with external wheel type cars as fitted to the current boat every bit as good. I dont know why but we seem to have less frictionI have replaced all my fb main slides with ballslide cars. It is a big and expensive improvement but I think a track fitted into the mast groove with appropriate cars is a better option.
Rutgerson battcars have wheels that run against the aft face of the mast. No ball bearings on these, as far as I know (not on mine, anyway). But inbetween the 4 or 5 battcars are just ordinary slides. So I assume a dedicated track with all ball slider (like Harken?) would give even less friction.@Ladinbed: wonder if rutgerson ballslider cars and harken battcar on track makes a difference in performance
If you have sliders in between battcars then thats your choice and will add to the friction. We have cars on every sail attachment to the mast. Super low frictionRutgerson battcars have wheels that run against the aft face of the mast. No ball bearings on these, as far as I know (not on mine, anyway). But inbetween the 4 or 5 battcars are just ordinary slides. So I assume a dedicated track with all ball slider (like Harken?) would give even less friction.
It is not a choice, but how the system is supposed to work. Batt car = car where the batten meets the mast.If you have sliders in between battcars then thats your choice and will add to the friction.
But there are also none batten cars for use between battcars. Thats what we haveIt is not a choice, but how the system is supposed to work. Batt car = car where the batten meets the mast.
Yes, this difference between the two design concepts is what I was trying to convey to the OP in my post #8.But there are also none batten cars for use between battcars. Thats what we have
My main is very similar. Goes up easily and if I keep the track clean drops straight down. Ideally I need to be straight into the wind to raise and drop but 10 degrees either side is OK.Rutgerson battcars have wheels that run against the aft face of the mast. No ball bearings on these, as far as I know (not on mine, anyway). But inbetween the 4 or 5 battcars are just ordinary slides. So I assume a dedicated track with all ball slider (like Harken?) would give even less friction.
Yes, we have those between battcars. It works very well.Yes, this difference between the two design concepts is what I was trying to convey to the OP in my post #8.
Edit: My post was in answer to the OP, who asked about Rutgerson cars vs. ”Harken on track”. Rereading your post #7 I realise that your system is different from both these.
Edit 2: Something like this, perhaps:
Pressure absorbing slide - Rutgerson Marin