SS Sailtrack

Sailtrack
Sailtrack was the invention that revolutionized Sailboat Rig design. Originally invented by Nat Herreshoff in 1887, the advent of Sailtrack allowed taller Masts and the elimination of Gaffs from the modern Sloop rig. Before this time sails were attached to the Mast with Hoops which meant that no shrouds or stays could be attached to the mast at any point below the maximum mainsail hoist. These days, since Aluminum Masts normally have their own integral track, Sailtrack is primarily used for Storm Trysails, and on Composite and Wood Spars. Please Note: "Sailtrack" is a term frequently misused to refer to any type of Track (or Luff Groove) that a sail goes on or into. These other Tracks have their own specific designations and nomenclature, but only the items shown here are correctly referred to as Sailtrack. Sailtrack Track is listed below by size (Track width), and length. Stainless Steel Sailtrack is preferred for use in most applications, and on Aluminum and Composite Spars. Stainless Steel Sailtrack is also available, on special order, in longer lengths to prevent the possibility of sail slides hanging up at the joints. For Traditional applications and use on wood Spars, we also produce a variety of Bronze Sailtracks. See Bronze Sailtrack. Track, Stops and Gates are listed below, for other items used with Sailtrack, See: Sailtrack Slides, Spinnaker Cars, Genoa Cars, Outhaul Cars, Traveller Slides & Stops, and Gooseneck Slides. See other types of Track on the Track Main Page.

Stainless Steel Sailtrack
5/8" SS Sailtrack 7/8" SS Sailtrack 1" SS Sailtrack

5/8" Stainless Steel Sailtrack**
*5/8" SS Sailtrack - 1 foot long: Mer 401-5S-1:* **5/8" SS Sailtrack - 6 foot long: Mer 401-5S-6:* 5/8" SS Sailtrack - 12 foot long: Mer 401-5S-12:* 5/8" SS Sailtrack - 20 foot long: Mer 401-5S-20:* 5/8" SS Sailtrack - Custom length: Mer 401-5S-__:* 5/8" Stainless Steel Sailtrack is rolled from flat 304 SS strip and measures (maximum) 11/16" (.6875" or 17.45mm) wide.** Track is punched for #6 (1/8") RH screws on 3 1/2" (89mm) centers. 5/8" SS Sailtrack is available is available in a variety of lengths and can be cut shorter to your specific lengths. Longer lengths are also available on special order. * Due to hole spacing constraints, length tolerance is +/- 2 1/4". When ordered in pairs, both pieces will be the same length. ** Note: For over 100 years this size Sailtrack (11/16" wide) has been universally referred to as 5/8" Sailtrack. We can only guess why, but not wanting to promote confusion, (and being slow to break tradition), it works for us.
*5/8" SS Sailtrack - Special for Outhaul, 1 foot long: Mer 401-5S-1H:*
5/8" Stainless Steel Sailtrack is as Mer 401-5S-1, above, but specially drilled for larger #10 (3/16") RH screws (with closer hole spacing) for higher load applications, especially with Outhaul Cars. Individually Electropolished Track is 12" long and attaches with (5) #10 (3/16") screws or rivets.
	*5/8" SS Sailtrack - End Stop: Sch 74-05:* Formed Stainless Steel End Stop for 5/8" SS Sailtrack is 7/8" wide x 5/8" long. SS End Stop slides on to Track and attaches through the Track with (1) #8 (5/32") RH screw, generally using the last screw in the Track.
	*5/8" SS Sailtrack - Adjustable Slide Stop: Sch 74-45:* Stainless Steel Adjustable Stop for 5/8" Sailtrack incorporates a captive SS thumb screw to limit its position. SS Adjustable Stop is 7/8" wide x 5/8" long.
	*Hinged Gate Stop for Sailtrack: Sch 74-65X:* Hinged 'knife-switch' type Gate fits both 5/8" and 7/8" Sailtrack. SS Gate Assembly fits underneath Sailtrack and attaches to Mast with one of the Sailtrack attachment screws. Assembly is made from 3/8" stock and is (maximum) 2" wide with a hole for up to a #8 screw. Used on Masts with Sailtrack for the Mainsail and/or Trysail.

7/8" Stainless Steel Sailtrack
*7/8" SS Sailtrack - 1 inch long w/ 1 hole: Mer 401-7S-.08:* *7/8" SS Sailtrack - 1 foot long: Mer 401-7S-1:* **7/8" SS Sailtrack - 6 foot long: Mer 401-7S-6:* 7/8" SS Sailtrack - 12 foot long: Mer 401-7S-12:* 7/8" SS Sailtrack - 20 foot long: Mer 401-7S-20:* 7/8" SS Sailtrack - Custom length: Mer 401-7S-__:*** 7/8" Stainless Steel Sailtrack is rolled from flat 304 SS strip and measures (maximum) 7/8" (.875" or 22.22mm) wide. Track is punched for #8 (5/32") RH screws on 3 1/2" (89mm) centers. 7/8" SS Sailtrack is available in a variety of lengths and can be cut shorter to your specific lengths. Longer lengths are also available on special order. * Due to hole spacing constraints, length tolerance is +/- 2 1/4". When ordered in pairs, both pieces will be the same length.
	*7/8" SS Sailtrack - End Stop: Sch 74-02:* Formed Stainless Steel End Stop for 7/8" SS Sailtrack is 1" wide x 1" long. SS End Stop slides on to Track and attaches through the Track with (1) #10 (3/16") RH screw, generally using the last screw in the Track.
	*7/8" SS Sailtrack - Adjustable Slide Stop: Sch 74-42:* Stainless Steel Adjustable Stop for 7/8" Sailtrack incorporates a captive SS thumb screw to limit its position. SS Adjustable Stop is 1" wide x 1" long.
	*Hinged Gate Stop for Sailtrack: Sch 74-65X:* Hinged 'knife-switch' type Gate fits both 5/8" and 7/8" Sailtrack. SS Gate Assembly fits underneath Sailtrack and attaches to Mast with one of the Sailtrack attachment screws. Assembly is made from 3/8" stock and is (maximum) 2" wide with a hole for up to a #8 screw. Used on Masts with Sailtrack for the Mainsail and/or Trysail.

1" Stainless Steel Sailtrack
**1" SS Sailtrack - 6 foot long: Mer 401-8S-6:* 1" SS Sailtrack - 12 foot long: Mer 401-8S-12:* 1" SS Sailtrack - 20 foot long: Mer 401-8S-20:* 1" SS Sailtrack - Custom length: Mer 401-8S-__:*** 1" Stainless Steel Sailtrack is rolled from flat 304 SS strip and measures (maximum) 1" (25.4mm) wide. Track is punched for 1/4" (6mm) RH screws on 4" (102mm) centers. 1" SS Sailtrack is available on special order only. * Due to hole spacing constraints, length tolerance is +/- 2 1/4".

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Spars, Rigging, and Hardware for Sailboats