What's this boaty bit called?

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Please look at the photo - there's a nice round brass thingy that screws into the mast track to stope the sail sliders falling out of the wide part. To reef I have to unscrew it and take a slider or more out then screw it back it to secure the remainder. This frees up sufficient sail to reach the reefing horn.

Unfortunately it fell overboard last week so I have to go to the chandlers tomorrow to get a new one - what's it called?

Sensible suggestions welcomed...
 
I know it as a knurled thumb screw (the knurled bit is round the edge) You will need to know the thread size i.e the diameter of the screw it screws onto, assuming it is metric. If the swindlery doesn't have it take the picture to a friendly machine shop and they will make one for you in 15mins.
Also try A2A4 of Southampton thet have things like that on their web site.
(No affiliation, just a satisfied customer)
Rgds
Bob
 
Davis, amongst others, makes them - a track stop. I believe the Davis product numbers are 2350, 2351 and 2352 for the 1/2", 3/8" and 3/4" versions. The size refers to the diameter of the slug that goes in the mast track.
 
I have a Davis one on my mast. It could do with a finer thread on the screw or a bigger knurled wheel because it is quite difficult to tighten it enough by hand. If the main is dropped vigorously, it can slip out as you have found.
 
I never knew you could get those - to do the same job on my boat the previous owner had drilled a very small hole on either side of the narrow entry point and then slid a clip through. Does the same job as your furling knob but allows a small strop to be attached from clip to mast so you don't lose it...
 
Fantasie 19 said:
I never knew you could get those - to do the same job on my boat the previous owner had drilled a very small hole on either side of the narrow entry point and then slid a clip through. Does the same job as your furling knob but allows a small strop to be attached from clip to mast so you don't lose it...
Click to expand...

My previous boat was the same. Just a hole drilled slightly to one side of the slide and above point where slot widens. A simple split pin went into the hole and was ever so slightly splayed open to make a snug fit. Short piece of line to a nearby rivet completed the job.

Worked very well for 23 years, never came out in use, easy to pull out when needed, difficult to lose and cheap (basically just a split pin). That was on a 32' yacht and my previous one was a 25' boat with a more complicated design (gate with a plate that slid out when unscrewed).

Simplest solution sometimes the best.
 
Vid said:
To reef I have to unscrew it and take a slider or more out then screw it back it to secure the remainder. This frees up sufficient sail to reach the reefing horn.
Click to expand...

Maybe my dimensions are different but rather than remove that gate to reef I have spliced a circle of rope through each reefing eye. The rope is long enough to hook over the horn without removing slugs from the track, it is also much easier to hook. The sail still sets perfectly well. Maybe an idea. But you'll still need to replace the stop you've lost.
 
Vid said:
Unfortunately it fell overboard last week so I have to go to the chandlers tomorrow to get a new one - what's it called?

...
Click to expand...

My harken system has a very similar thingamy. It has a hole drilled through the bolt and is attached to the mast with a piece of string to stop you from dropping it. I keep forgetting to replace it and have numerous times this year dropped the main only for all the cars to come out of the mast track !!:o
 
A couple of thoughts on your snurble grip-thribley.

Having lost a couple, we drilled a small hole through ours and now have them tied on with a short length of VB cord.

And we soon got tired of dropping slugs out to reach the reefing horn - now we just have a loop of Spectra that doubles through the reefing eye onto the horn. Works fine.


Edited - Opps, realy should read threads more closely - both these ideas already covered - doh!
 
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My chandlers knew exactly what it was and I have bought the only Sail Track Stop (made by Davis) they had in stock. I'll pick up a spare at some point. I'm only disappointed that it isn't called a snurble grip-thribley...

I shall also investigate having a loop from the reefing eye in the sail that will reach the horn so that I don't have the risk of losing it so easily.

Many thanks all.
 
As well as different sizes, some come with flat slugs and some with round slugs. If you have the opportunity, get the chandler to order the one that fits your mast best.

72529F-p.jpg
 
Hating to bring this discussion down to pikey-level but when I tried my new boat out the other week and realised that I didn't have a track stop I wrapped a bungee strap around the mast. Seemed to work fine.

I used the split pin idea on Slippy

Headboard.jpg
 
I have a confession. For some unknown reason, I also have a split pin below my track stop. I know it's not logical and please don't tell me how silly this is. I know! :o:o:o
 
Dehlerstop.jpg


This is the track stop on my Dehler 22 (the picture is taken from the Dehler manual). It works very well with the twine with an eye on each end hooked over 2 plastic hooks. Easy to undo and easy to replace and the twine is always hooked on one end.
 
on ours the mast gate is completely filled with a spring loaded plastic thribley. It presses into the mast to open the gate or if not pressed lets the sail slugs pass down thro it in to the lower track
 
Lakesailor said:
Hating to bring this discussion down to pikey-level but when I tried my new boat out the other week and realised that I didn't have a track stop I wrapped a bungee strap around the mast. Seemed to work fine.

I used the split pin idea on Slippy

Headboard.jpg
Click to expand...

A bit pinched!
 
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