sail track on a solid mast

[SV Papillon]

Approaching the point of being able to step the fore mast on my schooner. Our sail/rig plan is for a 400 sf gaff fore and 370 sf marconi main w/ 380 sf fore triangle. Probably over complicating things, but in the event that I wanted to switch to a staysail schooner rig I am thinking of putting bronze t track for the sail slides. Fisheries stocks 1" and 1 1/4" track in seven foot lengths. I'm wondering If either of these would be sufficiant to carry the load of the gaff boom? sail slides are availible in both sizes and the PT foundry can make the boom fitting if it will work.

Thanks
Jake

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
A track such as you suggest can be a lovely option for a gaff, but not all T-track is created equal. Some, like Harken 3086, is designed primarily for a tension load, like Genoa sheets typically impose. But the narrow base makes it susceptible to high lateral loads, like your gaff might impose. Historically, people have gotten around this either by going with extra-large track, or adding a wide base to T-track, or both. But you'd probably be better off with 3154, which is designed to handle the heavy side loads imposed by spinnaker poles. Unfortunately, this will mean custom slides, but it is still worth pursuing.
What is the mast material? If it is wood, be sure to epoxy pot the fasteners.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[SV Papillon]

It looks like the Harken system is not too far off from the cost of doing it in bronze T track and slides etc. Were you thinking the system B universal slides for the sail slides? It seems like If you put two or three of the bearing slides together or used a headboard slide for the Gaff boom it would work. I really like the 6m lengths it is available in. Potting of fastners, would you recommend a backer of some kind. How do you go about fastner selection with anodized aluminum track being screwed into wood or epoxy? The mast is mahogany of some asian variety. Not super dense like Honduran or super porous like the Phillipian, something in the middle.

Thanks
Jake