Maintenance

ReCirculating Ball (RCB) travellers are the nearest thing to maintenance free. But they sometimes get sticky, particularly with light loads. This is a problem you will encounter irrespective of the manufacturer.

1. Wash the unit with water and force the car rapidly along the track. Salt water is okay if no fresh is available.
2. Wipe ball ways on tracks clear of any salt or dirt. If using fresh water, put a little detergent in the water.
3. Car still sticky ? check washing slots have not been closed in gripping vise, etc. WINDSLYCE Code 1 should have 4mm slots.
4. Check that car has not been loaded with too many balls. Some gaps should appear between balls.
5. Check that end caps are not cracked.
6. Slack end cap screws and check end cap alignment. (sometimes ends are squeezed when held in a vise) then tighten. If Loctite is used it is best to reapply. Take care not to spill balls.
7. If still not right return to manufacturer or strip, examine and clean.

Assembly of Cars

The best idea is to take care not to spill the balls by careful use of the loader. The balls are expensive even at our prices. However when the inevitable happens and your balls are on the deck the following will help.

1. Divide the load into 2 equal quantities NOT exceeding correct load (see attached loading sheet)
2. If time permits it is a good idea to wash the balls and the car.
3. Holding car on its side pour half (one side) load of balls into the car. Make sure there is clearance between balls to allow spread of balls under load.
4. Carefully slide in loader with ball loading slot or hole pointing up. IE opposite the side of the car just loaded.
5. Push in the other half load of balls. A short oscillating movement of loader in the car helps this process. The ball return groove fills easily but sometimes it becomes hard to load when balls enter the working area. A screwdriver can be used to make space at ball loading slot.
6. Carefully transfer the car from loader to the track.

CLAMP IN VICE IN LINE WITH BALL SLOT - TO AVOID SQUASHING GROOVES AND JAMMING BALLS.

DO NOT USE LOCTITE OR SIMILAR ON PLASTIC BODY CARS !

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Self Tacking Headsails

Preamble
The self tacking headsail is a very useful sail for cruising in crowded waters such as Sydney Harbour. It is surprising that there are not more in use.

One problem is that no one seems to know how to set them up. The following should help you in this area.

Geometry
The minimum horizontal sheeting angle should be at least 10 degrees to the centre line of the boat. For example, with a 3.5 metre fore triangle the sheet anchor point at each side needs to be 0.607m from the centre line. The theoretical radius for the track is LP plus the distance from the clew to the track.
Liberties can be taken with the latter particularly if a forward sweeping sheet connection is used, some correction can be made.

Vertical sheeting angle has to be determined carefully as it is difficult to provide adjustment. A few shackles in the tack will help the initial set up.

When the headsail is roll reefed, the vertical sheet angle can change. It is for this reason that we developed and patented the MACLEW. This, within limits, maintains the vertical sheeting angle as determined by the sail maker when designing the sail.

Sheeting
The options for sheeting are;

1. Deck sweeping from forward of the attachment point - fouls everything on deck.
2. Similar system with attachment point up the mast.
3. Sheet originating at each end of the track - most critical to get right, but the best.

Track Anchors
The track must be fastened with strong brackets. This is very much a job for a yacht designer. If the track bracket fails or worse, pulls the coach roof apart then seaworthiness will be compromised.

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