Repair & maintenance: Traveller track

Traveller track

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5348
Printed Date: 14 May 25 at 9:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Traveller track

Posted By: Adam MR 1137
Subject: Traveller track
Date Posted: 24 Mar 09 at 11:02am

Hope you lot with more experience with these things can help,

At the moment my traveller track on my OK is straight in both directions. Now buying a new track curved both fore/aft and front/back would be the best option I know but would require a bit of a rebuild in order to support it and cut it into the side decks.
I was wondering how easy it would be to put extra packing under the ends of the track, or shape a curved piece to bolt between the track and its support. Will the track take the shape of the curve if I just gently and gradually do the bolts up?

I am going to speak to members of the class to get a reccommended good diameter to use to shape the curve.

My main question is, is it easy to do? or should I just put up with my straight track until I have the time and money to invest and rebuild a track that is curved in both directions.

Thanks for any help,

Adam

-------------
Merlin rocket 1137
OK 2049
Can be seen at http://www.wellandyachtclub.co.uk/ - WYC

Replies:

Posted By: Alistair426
Date Posted: 24 Mar 09 at 12:41pm

Originally posted by Adam MR 1137

Will the track take the shape of the curve if I just gently and gradually do the bolts up?

I think you would be more likely to lever the bolts out of the boat than acheive a fair curve in the track. If you are going to use a hollow section and you manage to secure one end enough to begin to bend it, you are like to have the track buckle on you unless you use the equivalent of a plumber's spring up the inside.

I would advise speaking to the class builder (whose name escapes me without Googling him up) as I expect he has a tame engineering works who do his bending for him.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 24 Mar 09 at 6:18pm

I'd get the track bent. Its very easy to end up with it running in notches. In an ideal world you'd get undrilled track which bends much more evenly: the holes are a bad thing if its going to be bent. Most engineering shops will have the gear, if in doubt conmsult your loacl 14 or Cherub sailors..