Abstract: The invention provides a bearing assembly (3, 4) including a plurality of rolling bearing elements (5). At least one of the elements is a first type element, with the remainder of the elements being second type elements. The ratio of the number of the second type elements to the total number of bearing elements is greater than or equal to around 75%. The first type element is formed of a plastics material having different frictional properties than the second type elements. Means (14) for retaining the elements (5) to define a bearing surface are also provided.

Abstract: A sail fastening apparatus (18) for a yacht. The apparatus (18) comprises a first track (21) extending along a sail clew (12) in a direction generally normal to a preferred vertical sheeting angle of the sail, a first carriage (22) slidably mounted for movement along the first track (21), and a sheet (16) extending between the first carriage and a sheeting point (27) on the yacht aft of the clew. The first carriage tends automatically to adopt a stable equilibrium position on the track such that the preferred vertical sheeting angle (B) for the sail is maintained.