Hunter 376 mast sail track

[jcrewser]

My track is coming apart. The plastic extrusion is separating between the outside track that the sail slugs ride in and the bead that runs inside the mast slot. Where can I get a replacement, and how hard is it the install? If you zoom in on the first picture you will see the problem above the spreader. The second picture is lower on the mast. Thanks.

 

[smokey73]

Is this a Tides Marine track? At the bottom of the tack where the sail slugs do into the track there should be a "metal cap" that has the info if it is Tides Marine. Even if it is not, you should be able to replace it with a Tides Marine track and it is not to terribly difficult to do. They make a great product. They will send you a set of plastic measurement tools to determine the size of your track so you can order the right track. Once you get the measurement and the length of track you need it is a matter of removing the old track by pulling it down (after you have taken the sail off of course) and inserting the new track. The hard part may be getting the old track out if it is in really bad condition (which it looks like it is). Just do a search for Tides Marine sail track and you'll find a lot if video's. They don't last forever.

 

[jcrewser]

Smokey, thanks for the response. I had done enough Google searching to identify Tides Marine as a potential supplier. I'll look for the "metal cap" to see if it has some useful info. Don't you think, if they supplied the original tracks for the Hunter 376, that they would know exactly what track and how long is needed for replacement?

 

[smokey73]

I'm not sure the 376, or many boats of that vintage in any manufacturer came with a Tides Marine or any synthetic material sail track. These kind of items were generally installed by an owner some time after purchase..

 

[Tally Ho]

Smokey, thanks for the response. I had done enough Google searching to identify Tides Marine as a potential supplier. I'll look for the "metal cap" to see if it has some useful info. Don't you think, if they supplied the original tracks for the Hunter 376, that they would know exactly what track and how long is needed for replacement?

Probably not a Hunter spec, but added by a prior owner. I added a Tides Marine Strong track to my boat a few years ago. Super simple to install.

Either pull the old down and measure it, or tie a tape measure to your halyard and run it up the mast to get a measurement.

Tides makes the tack with different backs for different mast tracks. You would need to make sure you order the right one. Tides eill send out a measuring kit that makes identifying the right extrusion pretty easy.

Or nix the track and go with slides in the mast track. Probably have more friction though.

Greg