Garhauer Jib Sheet Cars

[jsalley]

I'm planning to add towable jib sheet cars to my boat, but don't want to even think about replacing the track. I'd much prefer ball bearing cars, since they can be adjusted under load. That pretty much narrows the choice to Garhauer. Anyone have any experience with the Garhauer hardware?

 

[Rick D]

Yes. I put them on this year. They work well. Good addition. What did you want to know specifically?

 

[Joe]

Good ugrade

Everyone likes them.... haven't heard anyone say they're sorry about the upgrade. Check the archives.

This is important!!~!!.. to get the system to work under load, forward and backward, you need to allow the sheet to run straight back from the car, horizontally, to a turning block before it angles up to the winch.(unless the winch is on the same plane, of course). The upward pressure from the forward part of the sheet in front of the car is what pushes the car backwards. If you run the sheet directly to the winch from the car, that backwards force is negated and the elastic cord that helps pull it back is useless. Here's my set up:

(the red line is the sheet, the white one is the control line)

 

[jsalley]

Yes. I put them on this year. They work well. Good addition. What did you want to know specifically?

Are they easily adjustable under load, as advertised? The other manufacturers that make a product that uses existing rather than proprietary track have to be unloaded prior to adjusting, which IMHO defeats the purpose of having them.

 

[Rick D]

Yes, they work as advertised. Joe makes a good point about a turning block. I do have a pair. I have found that when the car is lightly loaded, I sometimes have to pull on the elastic cord to move them back. They are a great addition and I use them all the time. I surveyed some friends who had them before I brought. Not only for quality, but also for utility; I wanted to know if they actually used them once installed. BTW, since my track was from an unknown manufacturer, Garhauer had me measure the track with a caliper and made the car to that measurement. No extra charge.

 

[Smitty]

I installed them last year. They work great. However, I have 2 cautions for you:

If you have Schaefer track, you must let them know and they will rework the cars. The track is thicker than some others and it will make the cars sticky. I bought the system at a boat show, and when I told them I had Schaefer track, they took the cars back with them and reworked them and shipped them to me. All at no charge. Their customer service is fantastic.

Make sure the track bolts (that hold the track on the boat) are flush or below. If they stick up at all, it will cause problems. I had to remove my tracks anyway as they had some small leaks. When we replaced them and rebedded them we made sure all the bolt heads were flush

​

They now work very well and they really make jib shape adjustment much easier.

--Smitty

 

[rpwillia]

Would like to see follow up on this

John, I have a 310 and would like to see how this turns out for you. From everything I hear this sounds like a great idea. Would like to see pictures of these installed on a 309 as that would be close to the 310.

FWIW, you mentioned Garhauer who would always be my first choice for hardware as every time I have dealt with them they have been great and their gear is top notch.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Re: Garhauer EZ Glide Jib Sheet Cars

Seems this came up last week, too. Here are some photos: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4076.0.html

There is no one I have ever heard who is disappointed with this system. Except for a guy who only had a 110. I told him not to bother, but he didn't listen: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4268.0.html.

With smaller headsails to use the system you need to install additional track forward of the existing track to at least put the forward fairlead back where it was.

 

[shorty]

Love them

on my Schaefer track. 1985 Pearson 34

 

[Larry14133]

Installed them last spring. They work great.