Mainsail Track - Replace or Refurbish

[kldowell]

I am the relatively new owner of a Cal 2-27 (Wind Rush) and am not happy with the mainsail track. I am looking for some ideas of what to do this winter when the boat is out of the water and the mast is down. The sliders sometimes stick on the track or get bent and come off and the worst ones are where the main has a full batten about 3/4 of the way up the mast. Several of the screws holding the track to the mast in that vicinity pulled out (stripped) last year so the track itself is unstable and appears to be twisting a bit. In addition, the connection between the mainsail and the track gets jammed and that full batten will not reverse and I have to head to wind and let the sail flog to get it to switch over - not ideal. I tried installing oversized screws for the two that were stripped but that did not hold very long this year. Should I beef up the existing track with more screws, or use rivets? Or replace the track with something better and if so what would folks recommend? Thanks for all you recommendations!

[rcvesselstyn]

Just judging by your statements and the pictures I think you have three problems. First problem is one that's fairly common with full battens. If the batten is loaded to heavily, too much pre-curve in the batten, it causes too much pressure and will jam up. You can check the North sails website they have a video on how to load the battens properly for the amount of wind you're dealing with. Second problem would be the loose track. That also can be a common problem. Stainless screws going into an aluminum mast, you get a corrosion problem. Redrill above and below the stripped screws and put in new screws with the proper goop to keep the corrosion from happening again. Lastly it appears from the picture that your slides on the sail are two large for the track, they really shouldn't wobble about. Get in touch with Sailrite and get the proper slides for your track. Lastly some old school advice. Rub a old candle on each side of the track as high up as you can get. Maybe do two or three coats overtime. Anytime you notice the sail to be sticking on the way up or down give it another coat. Don't use paraffin or a soft wax as it'll make a mess. Candle wax won't melt, doesn't attract dirt, and lasts for a about a season. Hopefully this will help. Good luck!