Has anyone installed mainsail cars ?

senormechanico

New Member
A few years ago, I saw an advertisement in a sailing magazine for recirculating ball bearing mainsail cars similar to Harken Battcars. The ad specifically said they were for dinghies. I don't know what company it was; Antal?

My Dragonfly 1000 has Fredericksen (now Ronstan) mainsail mast cars and they work great. When I drop the main, all I have to do is let go of the halyard, and the mainsail drops into the lazyjacks and the sailcover (similar to the Doyle Stackpack). It couldn't be easier!

Having recently also acquired a Capri 14.2k, I'd love to add these features to make dropping the mainsail as easy as on my other boat. The Capri already has a roller furling jib and a full battened main.

I want to make this boat as easy as possible for anyone to use regardless of their sailing experience. It will mostly be used for short sails.

Has anyone installed a set of these mainsail cars? I've searched on the internet, but am coming up empty.

Thanks in advance,

Steve B.
 
Dropping Mainsail

Steve: The mainsail ought to come down easily, as long as you keep the bow headed toward the wind, without any extra "cars". Dick K.
 
Dropping the main

Thanks for your reply. I have been sailing a long time with other boats, and I am familiar with going head to wind to drop the main. It's just that I'm spoiled by my Dragonfly's recirculating batten cars.
The boltrope has been lubed with silicone spray and it comes down easily enough, but you still can't just let go of the halyard and have it drop by itself.

Steve B.
 

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