Bainbridge Sailman series Full Batten system?

[FullCircle]

Just speccing out the prioce for a new main.
Have been offered the Bainbridge Sailman full batten system which is 500 quid cheaper than a full Fridericksen roller bearing system.
Any one with any experience?

 

[ditchcrawler]

I had a fully battened main this year from Hyde with the Sailman 3000 system .It works OK but you do have to keep the slides well lubricated (I use dry PTFE spray from the bike shop,cheaper than the chandlers).When I release the halyard my main falls about two thirds of the way down into the lazy bag & I pull the rest.It has got easier as the season has progressed.A friend with a Moody 336 has the same system & his comes down about 85/90% without assistance.I used the saving made to have a triradial genny instead of a cross cut.My main is on a Moody 31 by the way.

 

[Sailfree]

On a charter boat I ruled it out due to risk of misuse (track is outside and plastic - not unknown for numptys to hoist main with tacks still in!)

However one supplier mentioned the Facnor system which is a lot cheaper. Anyone any views on that please?

 

[michael_w]

Though I've never used it, Strong Track is apparently the dog's whotsists for retro fitted batten systems on the other side of the pond.

 

[wingdiver]

Hi
We went for Harken System A captivated ball.
Fantastic.
Can haul up our large mainsail easily and let it down quickly and under control.
D

 

[Jonny_H]

We've got a Frederickson system. The carrs fit into the standard mast track (some manfs need a new track putting on the mast).

Its is excellent. We got some new bearings for some that had fallen out over the years earlier this year. Bearings are £0.75p each (each carr takes around 60 bearings!) but are self-lubricating and seem to work really well.

We can raise the fully battened main on our 37 footer by hand (no winches!) to within 6 inches of the top (then use the winch for the last bit). Dropping it is mega easy - head to wind and just let the halyard go - the main drops under its own weight and self stows using the lazy jacks - all you need to do is zip the cover up - we don't have to go on deck at all during the drop other than to do the cover.

They are expensive - but the best system I've used - and seem to be built to last a lifetime!

Jonny

 

[wingdiver]

Aren't Fredericksen now Ronstan?