Comp tip repair

We have a large number of 18s and 18SXs here in Buffalo NY and we could use some help from some dealers or "gurus" that saw this problem before:

An 18sx was taken off the water and the main was partially dropped (about a foot), then just left; no one thought anything about it. The next day we tried to raise the main and couldn't; when we put the SX on it's side, we found out that the luff track cracked about 18" from the main hook at the top of the mast; certainly the flexing of the head board on the sail worked it's way out and cracked the plastic luff track.

Can we:
Replace just the luff track? I saw a part number in the parts book, so would it be difficult and how?

Repair the luff track? Again, how?

Do we have to replace the comp tip? Can we use an old one off a bent mast?

Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

Wyatt

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.

Wyatt, Of course you can replace just the plastic track. At the top of this forum page you'll find "Products Support Company"....click on Support. Then go to "product support" and click it. Under sailboats on the left click "product support" again. This should bring up a list of topics for you...look at the list of repairs and second from the bottom is the plastic luff track info you'll need. The only things I'd add is, be gentle and use a soap & water mixture to lube things up so they slide on/off easier. Good luck!

The luff track can be replaced independent of the main body of the comptip. One thing to note- there are two types of luff track available, a plastic luff track and an aluminum track. There is supposed to be a short section of aluminum track (about 12") at the top of the mast. This metal track doesn't flex and won't allow the head of the sail to pull out. You should make sure you have this piece installed. Then a second, longer section of plastic track gets installed below the aluminum one.

The old track can be pryed off using a pair of flat blade screwdrivers. The new track snaps in place.

sm

have most of you H18 guys done this refit on the comp tip? mine came with a plastic track the entire section. sounds like the metal/plastic combo is a much better solution.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

I've never been stuck with a problem that wasn't solved right away. Thanks everyone!

Wyatt

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.

Bowman,
I have done it on my SX mast. Was concerned about the squarehead sail pulling out. Pinhead sail doesn't really need the aluminum piece IMO. If your track is cracked I would replace the cracked portion with the aluminum track but if your track is fine I'd leave it alone.

My old 18 mast has a full length plastic track and the head doesn't pull out. My old 17 also had a full length plastic track and the head would pull out (I ended up replacing to aluminum). The new boats all come with aluminim upper tracks.

I would say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if it ever does pull out, switch out for the aluminum and the problem will be solved. It's a pretty easy retrofit, should take less than an hour.

sm

How doues the alluminum 12" piece at the top com off?
Is it possible to remove the plastic track from an old mast and use it as a replacement on another mast?
macotac

Both pieces snap on and off. The plastic is obviously easier to install. Replacing one plastic track with another is certainly possible.

The old track came out, will go in. All done. Thanks everyone.

Wyatt

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Sails off Angola, NY, Lake Erie.