Genoa T Track, to curve or not to curve?

DougM · Jan 26, 2016

It doesn't appear to me that from your photo at least, there is all that much of a curve to be concerned about. There are a lot of boats that utilize curved tracks.
You could possibly experiment by setting the new track up on a piece of scrap plywood wit just 3 or 4 screws to duplicate the curve. Then slid the car on it to see if it binds. Consider also the side loading when in actual use

JohnVTX · Jan 26, 2016

Not even a hint of binding here. These are curve a lot more than you would need to.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jan 26, 2016

Cloud Diver;
As a former Catalina dealer, I installed genoa tracks and cars in the same area that were slightly curved. The loading was not different nor did the cars bind. I would tend to wonder where the track in placed in the photo that the turning block would hit against the cabin coach side or not thus marring the finish when under use.

Jackdaw · Jan 26, 2016

JohnVTX said:
Not even a hint of binding here. These are curve a lot more than you would need to.

The trick is, some track/car systems are DESIGNED to curve.

Jackdaw · Jan 26, 2016

Crazy Dave Condon said:
would tend to wonder where the track in placed in the photo that the turning block would hit against the cabin coach side or not thus marring the finish when under use.

Agreed. Also make sure you have fair run from the sail to the car and from the car to the winch in all car and clew positions.

Gunni · Jan 26, 2016

My track is OEM straight and close to the cabin top, making it possible to sheet in the Genoa very close.

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 26, 2016

Cloud,

I don't see a radius angle so, a straight track should work in your setup with no problems.

John, I have a 1980 Mark II very similar to your cabin design. When I redid my deck, I did not want to use the toerail t-track for my ginney.
I installed a new t-track along the curvature of my cabin & have NOT had a problem with adjusting my cars.
I do find a better inboard angle for sailsets & all has been well the past 3 years.

My one suggestion is adding proper backing plates below to take up the added strain.
However, it's quite easy to slightly curve your ginney track.

CR

Ken Cross · Jan 26, 2016

My tracks were straight when I removed them to rebed. No problem springing them a bit to reinstall.
Ken

Ted · Jan 26, 2016

You probably won't have a problem but check with the car/track manufacturer. I know for a fact that Harken has a specific minimum track radius that their cars can run on without binding. My bend it tighter than that with a Harken system and no problems.

JohnVTX · Jan 27, 2016

captnron said:
Cloud,

I don't see a radius angle so, a straight track should work in your setup with no problems.

John, I have a 1980 Mark II very similar to your cabin design. When I redid my deck, I did not want to use the toerail t-track for my ginney.
I installed a new t-track along the curvature of my cabin & have NOT had a problem with adjusting my cars.
I do find a better inboard angle for sailsets & all has been well the past 3 years.

My one suggestion is adding proper backing plates below to take up the added strain.
However, it's quite easy to slightly curve your ginney track.

CR

Captron, do you use this new track for anything bigger than a 100. I have a 130.

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 27, 2016

John,

I run a 155 ginney. What I did do was to make sure I have great support below.
The other advantage with the deck & inner liner molds, fiberglass & all materials are stronger structurally near angled bends. The secret then is, really in the backing support.

CR

JohnVTX · Jan 27, 2016

captnron said:
John,

I run a 155 ginney. What I did do was to make sure I have great support below.
The other advantage with the deck & inner liner molds, fiberglass & all materials are stronger structurally near angled bends. The secret then is, really in the backing support.

CR

If you get a chance, post a photo along with one of your run back to the winch

Bob J. · Jan 27, 2016

CloudDiver said:
I got some new Ronstan 1 inch T track for my new Genoa Cars to mount inboard tracks on my Catalina 22. The track is 39 inches, just a bit shy of the original 48 inch tracks mounted outboard (you can see the epoxy filled holes in the pic).

Just wondering, why are you going with a shorter track & relocating inboard? I don't know anything about your Catalina but the holes that are filled with epoxy, isn't this part of your deck to hull flange connection? If so why would you want to drill additional holes thru the deck to accommodate the new T track?

FWIW, I do things to my boat that people don't understand but seems to make sense to me

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 27, 2016

John,
The only pic I have was when I re-did my deck.
As you can see, the track was offset enough to not impede my car.
Note the changed color format not found on other Cat 30' Mk II.
CR

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 27, 2016

Mis,
My orig. track was at the toerail. I did not get the right sail shape with the track outboard.
It seemed that my 155 had a flatter rear sail shape & knot an aerodynamic shape throughout. Just look at the newer designed boats & where their tracks are set. That's what gave me the idea.

The only new holes I made are sealed & supported well. I left my toe rail track in place. Maybe at some point, I may have to use the orig. track, who knows?

Remember, sailing is nothing different than flying a plane sideways.
The same laws of physics come into play. The only difference is adding water induced friction.

Now I can get a much better foil shape going close-hauled & I still have enough length of track for all points of sail.

But, how bout my modified paint job?

CR

Jackdaw · Jan 27, 2016

captnron said:
John,
As you can see, the track was offset enough to not impede my car.

I think Ron, that John's question is exactly what your track shows; that is your car is shown in the only position that makes a fair run to the winch. Without a turning block to help, the rest of the track is unusable. It looks like you might have one, but out of the picture.... where does the sheet go?

JohnVTX · Jan 27, 2016

captnron said:
John,
The only pic I have was when I re-did my deck.
As you can see, the track was offset enough to not impede my car.
Note the changed color format not found on other Cat 30' Mk II.
CR

Also Ron, you said your boat was a 1980 MK II. They didn't change from MK I to MK II until 1986. Even though mine is a 1986, it was built in October 1985 and still of the MK II design. MK II has two large windows, and 2 small each side, vs the 3 large and 1 small on the MK I. Also the MK II had t shaped cockpit at the rear. Am I missing something?

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 27, 2016

John,

The paperwork I have states a Mark II. Not a big difference from Mark I. The design is close.

Jack good question pal,

My turning blocks are now aft the winches & located on the rear of the toerail track. The beauty is that the line from the cars runs close inboard along the cockpit coming sides then angles to the turning blocks back forward to the winch. When stepping out of the cockpit now to go forward, there is no angled line to my winch that interferes. My orig. line went from the car & angled to the winch which was not good for leaving the cockpit for deck work. But that was the orig. setup.

Catalina 30's have a narrow deck for going forward especially stepping out of the cockpit. Now, I don't have to deal with stepping over an angled sheet. I have a double winch setup on my cockpit coming top, one for the ginney & one for the staysail. My spinnaker track is on top of my cabin. I just found that this t-track relocation was a better way for giving better access forward & not having trip points mostly for guests.

Using car marks from my orig. toerail track, I positioned the inboard track parallel to the toerail track for adjusting the t-track length to work with my cars @ different points of sail. My tracks are 6 ft. long & I've been very happy with the positioning & the length.

Stepping out of a Cat. 30 cockpit, you only have about 10" of foot room. That's not that much especially on a heel or in spirited conditions.

CR

Genoa T Track, to curve or not to curve?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.