Spinnaker Track and Car

[Old Bumbulum]

My spinnaker mast-car is the kind that runs on a broad T shaped track moulded into the mast. The current car has no spring-loaded plunger to locate it, relying instead on a continuous loop uphaul/downhaul.
Due to my clumsiness I twisted the pole beyond it's limits and the car spat out the nylon (?) insert on one side that clips into the car to help it slide easily and over the side it went...

I can't immediately identify the make or model, but am I likely to find a spare plastic slider for sale somewhere or am I inevitably into buying a whole new car?

 

[knuterikt]

If you provide more information about the boat like make, model, year and a picture of the mast it might be easier to help.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Yes, pictures please. I've managed to find the same bits for two different 40yo boats in the last year, one of which was Barbarossa, now Harken. They couldn't have been more helpful and got them sent straight from the Italian factory's old stock, and all for less than £15.

 

[William_H]

You would only need an adjustable pole snotter if you used dip pole gybing ie on a larger boat it is essential. So if all else fails you may get away with fixing the slider position in one spot.
Re damaging the snotter (that is what we call it here where pole attaches to the mast. I use a symmetrical pole with dinghy type end fittings. The pole had a habit of twisting in the largish ring on the snotter. No problem until the pole gets out of hand and points skyward so twisting the fitting sideways bending and breaking it. https://www.whitworths.com.au/ronstan-spinnaker-pole-end-38mm This kind of fitting.
Finally after years of anx I fitted a ring on the mast (snotter) that is much smaller, this denies the pole the ability to twist so no problems now if pole goes skyward. (well not with damaging the pole end anyway).
Now yours may be completely different but just possibly that is how you got into trouble in the first place. ol'will

 

[rogerthebodger]

Here are pics of various spinnaker cars that my help you identify the type you have.

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=s...38_jAhVISxUIHf51CDIQ_AUIESgB&biw=1517&bih=640

 

[Old Harry]

almost certain to be Kemp / Selden

 

[knuterikt]

almost certain to be Kemp / Selden

isomat also made masts with integrated track.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

Thanks all. Love the snotter! Twisting is exactly what broke it too.



is about as close as I can get - I'll take a photo later today.

Boat is Tradewind 35, maker of spars not known.

 

[nrcoyle]

looks like one of these:

https://rigrite.com/Spars/Isomat_Spars/isomat_spin_cars.php

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Isomat became Sparcraft, who sell spares.

http://www.eurospars.com/sparcraft/sparcraft-parts/

 

[Old Bumbulum]

You guys are amazing! Thanks so much.
I'll measure my unit and contact sparcraft.

 

[PlankWalker]

I've just been through exactly the same scenario as you, and with the same gear.
The cars are no longer available though the plastic inserts are.
I believe the car cannot pull off the mast without some damage to the aluminum
In my case it was the edge of the ear on the car that holds the plastic insert in place, a bead of aluminum weld and a rat tailed file sorted it.
I got my inserts from Sailspar Engineering, Great Bromley, Essex

Plank

 

[Old Bumbulum]

Thanks to all for your useful advice.
Sailspar did indeed provide the inserts and Z Spars a replacement pole end at very reasonable cost.
Both companies reacted to my email enquiry with remarkable speed and both were more than helpful and easy to deal with.
A very satisfactory result.