Batten cars

[cagey]

Any recomendations for batten cars please.
Am looking for the type that fit into the mast groove rather than the ones fitted to a track
Thanks
Keith

 

[ditchcrawler]

I had Sailman 3000 cars when I went to fully battened main.Fit existing old Seldon mast,but needed a different insert for mast gate.There are different sizes available.You may want 4000/5000 on your boat.The groove does need a good spray with PTFE (the solid PTFE grease is better) about 3 times a year.My main falls into lazy bag a treat now.

 

[robbieg]

Assuming a boat up to 35ft Rutgerson are the commonest and the cheapest. Many happy users. Small wheels on the cars run on the mast face.

Sailman are a bit more expensive-again widely used. These use a low friction sliders.

Tidesmarine (google+youtube) more expensive but some good reports. It does need a track but this pushes into the existing track and is pretty quick and easy to install (appartently).

Then on to Harken etc ball bearing car with special tracks-good I am sure but expensive.

Might want to think about stacked height on the boom (Rutgerson highest moving to Tidesmarine lowest), how many battens & hence how many cars you will have and whether you are going to have the intermediate sliders, headboard sliders etc from the same manufacturer as the cars (generally recommended but can be more costly than using allslip sliders between the battencars.

If you aren't sure ask your sailmaker for some recommendations.

 

[Ringmore]

I can't speak too highly of Ronstan's BallSlide system. Had a full season's use last year and they worked a treat, even with the boom sheet far from the centre. The cars run in the normal mast groove but use the back face of the spar as the bearing surface. You need to the buy the appropriate headboard, batten end and intermediate cars. Our package for a Dufour 325 was around £900, but this is for a full-length batten mainsail.
Google Ronstan and you'll find all the information you need. Ronstan UK were very helpul, as were North Sails UK.

 

[ytd]

We have the Rutgerson cars and so far have broken 2 where the car attached to the batten pocket. The plastic seems very susceptible to UV - only 5 years old. Replacements are a different design so maybe they will last longer. They work well with minimal friction hoisting or dropping the main.

 

[thalassa]

[ QUOTE ]
We have the Rutgerson cars and so far have broken 2 where the car attached to the batten pocket. The plastic seems very susceptible to UV - only 5 years old. Replacements are a different design so maybe they will last longer. They work well with minimal friction hoisting or dropping the main.

[/ QUOTE ]

Indeed, they work well (the 4-weel type), apart from failing after 5 years. My sailmaker tells me they are now unobtainable, unless one finds a chandler or sailmaker with old stock.
He recommends the Ronstan ballslide system as well.

 

[sailorman]

Friedricksen -- Suberb
Only a satisfied customer

 

[thalassa]

[ QUOTE ]
Friedricksen -- Suberb
Only a satisfied customer

[/ QUOTE ]
Indeed ...and my sailmaker sayz Ronstan has taken over Frederiksen, and now use the name 'Ronstan'!

 

[Ringmore]

Rutgerson and Ronstan are different products I think. The Ronstan BallSlide have more bearings and they are enclosed. The principle is the same and it seems to be a very viable alternative in terms of cost and weight to adding a track to the mast.

 

[thalassa]

[ QUOTE ]
Rutgerson and Ronstan are different products I think. The Ronstan BallSlide have more bearings and they are enclosed. The principle is the same and it seems to be a very viable alternative in terms of cost and weight to adding a track to the mast.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, sorry, got confused. Long day. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.

A friend of mine has the Sailtrack system and is very pleased with it.