Najad - Genoa Track Problem

[goeasy123]

Any tips on replacing or repairing the Lewmar genoa track on a Najad 400. The SS Tee bolts that go through the deck have swollen inside the aluminium track (who'd have thought that was a good design choice?!!). The cars get stuck on the swollen sections. The track is curved in two directions. All the other hardware (cars and clamps) still works OK. See pics.

 

[ashtead]

Are you trying to remove the track completely as it might be worth speaking to Lewmar about a replacement initially? It seems to be quite common to have alloy track and stainless bolts but ideally someone should have put in a paste like duralac to stop fusion. . Have you tried hot water as a starter?it’s how I removed some traveller blocks from main sheet track but it takes a long time . I guess there is a risk the bolts snap off if badly corroded so you might end up drilling out. I guess you could ask on a Najad website or why not mail the sailing Ran utuber who has a 460-he looks highly practical on his vids so might be a source of info?

 

[goeasy123]

Are you trying to remove the track completely as it might be worth speaking to Lewmar about a replacement initially? It seems to be quite common to have alloy track and stainless bolts but ideally someone should have put in a paste like duralac to stop fusion. . Have you tried hot water as a starter?it’s how I removed some traveller blocks from main sheet track but it takes a long time . I guess there is a risk the bolts snap off if badly corroded so you might end up drilling out. I guess you could ask on a Najad website or why not mail the sailing Ran utuber who has a 460-he looks highly practical on his vids so might be a source of info?

It's probably way past repair as you can see from the end shot picture. The bolts go through the deck, so there's no problem getting to the nuts underneath to get the track off.

 

[ashtead]

So if you don’t wish to keep the track or the bolts surely just cut then off?

 

[goeasy123]

So if you don’t wish to keep the track or the bolts surely just cut then off?

I'm at the beginning of this project and jut looking for any advice from someone that might have done it before.

I'm not too worried about getting it off. I'm more worried about getting a new one back on. The track is curved. I'm not sure if the new one can be sprung bent into place or does it need to be pre bent. Bearing in mind that the bolts have to go through the deck all at the same time it might be difficult to get the bend in.

I've tried Lewmar but they haven't been much help yet.

 

[johnalison]

I had to replace part of the mainsheet block after only a few years since it started to bend. It was a devil of a job to get the bolt out. When I spoke to the Lewmar man at the Boat Show he told me in a patronising voice that I should have dismantled all similar gear yearly and re-greased the fixings.

 

[Tranona]

The track will take that curve OK. My next door neighbour put a similar curve in similar size track. He managed to do it in situ as it was on top of a raised platform which meant he could put clamps on the side to stop it springing. Started from the middle and worked outwards one fastening at a time each side.

Suspect as your is flat on the deck it will be necessary to make a jig and do it off the boat. Hopefully both sides will be the same and one jig will do both

 

[Scapa86]

Slight drift but I’m in the process of rebeddjng my Genoa track as it’s leaking. What thickness backing pad would one suggest? Is 6mm enough or should I go 9mm?