Old Wheel
Hello,
There are several ways to put the gaff on a track, and I think the only reason it isn't done more often is that it is a lot of work, plus some engineering. My favorite tracks have been heavy-duty ó spinnaker track would work on your boat, with an extra-long car, to spread the loads, and a gooseneck suited to the loads as well. Depending on the mast construction you might be able to recess the track, as suggested in the accompanying post.
Having said that, I wouldn't necessarily go with a track to reduce hoist and lowering efforts, as there are ways to make both lacing and hoops lower-friction. The track would almost certainly be more efficient aerodynamically, but, even more important, it would allow significant rig configuration changes; no longer would you be forced to land the lowers way up on the mast, to make way for the gaff. You'd get better staying angles, shorter unsupported lengths, more even load distribution ó you could have a B&R rig with a four-cornered sail, in other words.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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