Furling main car

[zrolimt]

I went sailing yesterday in 8 knots of wind. Sailing along comfortably and all of a sudden the car for the furling main popped out of the slide on the boom. We furled it back in and I went to the boom and inspected the car. Nothing was broken so I put it back into the slide and secured everything on the boom. Unfurled the main and got us sailing again. Wind picked up a little bit and the same thing happened again. Car popped out of slide. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions about this problem? Thanks.

 

[MSN-Travelers]

TORLON bearings missing???

Just a wild guess, it sounds like some/most/all of the plastic "ball bearings" that should be installed in the car are missing.

See page 8 in the attached pdf. The TORLON bearing allow the car to roll smoothly along the track AND hold the car on the track.

A picture or two of your car/track would help.

 

[Mike B]

Re: TORLON bearings missing???

The 2002 361 we had didn't have the torlon bearings but perhaps his did. Even if he lost the bearings the car shouldn't come off the track. I've lost them out of our B43's outhaul car and the car remained firmly attached to the track. I would inspect the car and track for any possible mishape that may have occurred.

 

[MSN-Travelers]

Like I said, just a wild guess. My 352 was one of the last off the line as 361 production had started. He didn't say what year his boat was.

I agree, the loss of the bearings, by itself, shouldn't cause the car to come off the track. Photos of that section of the track where the car comes off would be helpful.

 

[zrolimt]

Thanks for the response. My boat is a 2003 B361 (no bearings). I did check the car and track. No damage of any kind seen. I did order new end caps from Lewar for the car. I will put them on next week and go our for a test sail on Saturday (3/4/12). Will report whatever happens.