[C320-list] Quantum Sail Pack and Strong Track/slide system

[Don Johnson]

Just a note to say Thank You to Brian, Larry, Allan, Irv, John, (and anyone else who may have responded that I missed!) for the great information I received in response to my questions. Every response was very helpful and added information that I will use in making these changes to the boat! 
 
Regards,
 
Don Johnson
#53 

________________________________
 From: Amiraults Family <amiraults at sympatico.ca>
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com 
Sent: Friday, November 8, 2013 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Quantum Sail Pack and Strong Track/slide system
  

Don:

I don't have the brand, but I do have external track/cars for my main, and a
Doyle cradle cover on the boom. The former came with the boat.

The external track does work a bit better from the cockpit than the slides
on my previous boat for main raise. As mentioned elsewhere it is an
extremely slick raise from the mast. On the down side.it drops very quickly;
never hanging up in the way that my slugs sometimes did in the past.

My boom arrangement is a loose footed main and a cover that slides into the
boom track. The praise for the Dutchmen system is strong, but not universal.
My spouse and I could use it successfully (usually) while the race crew
always had problems getting a smooth stack. The on-boom cover is an all
round success and no one has had a problem with it. Note that in this
implementation the cover/main are not physically connected. Additionally
with only a zipper of the cover once the main is down, putting away the main
is very quick.

Last note which may not apply in your area. In the Great White North boats
come out of the water for the winter. With the sail disconnected from the
track, the cover disconnected from the lazy jacks, and the cover zippered
over the main, the whole unit stores in the main cabin for the winter with
no need to remove, fold and roll the sail for bagging. The whole awaiting
spring install.

Brian Amirault
797 Waltzing Bear, too