Batten car systems for fully battened mainsails

arto

arto

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I'm thinking about buying a fully battened mainsail for my Dehler 36.

One level of complexity I'd not thought about until I started getting quotes from sailmakers is the choice of batten cars. There are plenty to choose from.

The ones that seem to attract the most praise from the sailmakers are Ronstan and Tidesmarine. Can anyone share their experience with these? The prices are roughly comparable - and pretty high in both cases.

The Ronstan cars I'm considering would run in the existing mast track but include captive ball bearings. They appear to be nicely engineered.

The Tidesmarine system has cars that run along a track that is apparently easily fitted to the mast without having to unstep the mast or do anything else very elaborate. The track can apparently be easily removed to allow the old sails to be used if necessary.

Any thoughts? Experiences, good or bad?

Finally, are these systems worth the considerable premium over more basic mechanisms such as Rutgerson?

The Tides Marine system is shown here and the Ronstan one here

Thanks,

Andy
 
I've done some research on this.

Guapa's sails need replacing in the next year or so.
Present main has short battens, and I've decided on a full batten main as a replacement.
To avoid the need for a track to be fitted to the mast (16.9m) I'm going to go with the Ronstan Ballslide Trackless System - fits inside the existing groove on the mast.
http://www.ronstan.com/marine/range.asp?RnID=326
 
Another vote for the Rutgerson cars. Before we had to be absolutely dead head to wind, or it was a real struggle. Now it drops like a stone even well off the wind (using lazy jacks of course)
 
I have the similar Selden car system and I can recommend it very highly. The mainsail is very easy to raise and it all comes down by itself when you let the halyard off, even if you still have some wind in the sail. One of the best buys I have made.
 
We have the Tides Marine system and it works perfectly. No bearings to get worn or fouled in the batt cars and they are slippery as hell.

There was some discussion about this system and rumour that the mast track would degrade in the sun (see SSCA boards) and this has been firmly put to bed by the manufacturers. Not a single replacement of the track has ever been needed.

It is a simple to use very effective system that can be installed without the need to leave the deck. I give it my full support.

Paul
 
Have used the Harken system for the last six years on an almost daily basis in the season, and have never had a single problem with it. Still looks and works as good as new, and have just specced the same for our new boat.

Harken kit is not the cheapest, but is always well engineered, and support is good, even for older kit - might be worth considering.
 
Another vote for Rutgerson

I looked into this 3 years ago, insisted that the sailmaker visit boat to measure up and check mast for groove type - and to make up a shortlist of car options. Eventually went for Rutgerson. Had the new sail for 2 seasons now.
REALLY impressed and like others have said can hoist & drop the main off the wind with no trouble. I had lazyjacks the first year, but last year removed them as I didn't like them - halyard and reefing at the mast anyway. Most of my sailing is shorthanded.
 
I have used Rutgerson batten cars on may last three Dehlers (2x Dehler 34 & 1x 35CWS), and they all worked perfectly.

Is your 36 a CWS (electric winch)? If so, I'm surprised it hasn't got a fully battened main with Rutgerson cars as standard. If it's a 36DB (taller rig with runners etc) it's probably a different mast section from the 36CWS.

I would suggest you try and find a 36CWS or 37CWS (they aren't that rare) and compare its rig with yours.

Hope this helps.
 
Another vote for Harken. I have a fully battened main with lazyjacks. In conjunction with a power winch for the hoist even my wife has been persuaded that using the sails IS an option!
 
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