Abstract: Disclosed is a sectionalized mast track that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive mast track includes mast track sections that are secured to a mast with hinges. Securing pins connect the sections to each other such that all the sections pivot together along the centerline defined by hinges. The securing mechanisms also make it possible to remove a single mast track section at a time. Embodiments of the inventive mast track have a cross section that absorbs wind-generated compressive forces exerted by battens, reducing chafing, and eliminates the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing. The inventive mast track may also be configured to couple to an articulating sail feeder that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing.

Abstract: Disclosed are luff extrusions that solve problems of batten chafing and friction locking. The inventive luff extrusions provide batten end receptacles with channels for headboard cars. The luff extrusions absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets and eliminate the need for sail slides.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulating sail feeder that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive sail feeder includes hinge tracks arranged in articulating column that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing. The inventive hinge tracks have a cross section that includes a batten end receptacle with channels for headboard cars. Hinge tracks with the inventive cross section absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets, reducing chafing, and eliminate the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing.

Abstract: Disclosed are luff extrusions that solve problems of batten chafing and friction locking. The inventive luff extrusions provide batten end receptacles with channels for headboard cars. The luff extrusions absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets and eliminate the need for sail slides.

Abstract: A traveler assembly for a boat includes a rigid track defining a pair of spaced-apart channels on opposite sides of the track. A car with side wheels rides on the track with its wheels engaging in the channels. The car wheels have rounded peripheral cross sections which ride on conforming upper and lower rails formed by the channels to provide maximum surface engagement and minimum parts wear as the car rolls back and forth along the track. Resultantly, the car travels readily and quietly even when subjected to high vertical and lateral loads.

Abstract: A halyard stopper for a sailboat includes a pair of spaced-apart side plates extending up from a base. A jamming arm in the form of a class two lever is pivotally mounted between the plates above the base adjacent the entrance end of the stopper so that the arm can be swung from a jamming position wherein its free end is disposed close to the base and a nonjamming position wherein its free end is spaced further away from the base. A class one lever pivotally mounted between the side plates adjacent the exit end of the stopper is swingable so as to engage the free end of the arm and move the arm from its jamming to its nonjamming position even though the arm is under a very large jamming load.

Abstract: A connection assembly for marine rigging in the form of ropes and rods employs a relatively thick rigid internal tang that is mounted in an opening in a mast or other tubular member. A keyhole is formed in the tang in the opening which is arranged to receive a key affixed to the end of the rigging. A pocket extends into the tang from the side thereof inside the mast, at a point that is spaced vertically from the keyhole. This pocket receives the rigging key after it is seated in the keyhole so that when the rigging is in its normal orientation with respect to the mast, its key is securely locked in the keyhole.

Abstract: A pelican hook employs two locks for locking the hook arm in its closed position against the main body of the hook. One lock consists of a retractable spring-loaded locking pin which extends obliquely through the main body and into a passage in the arm when the arm is in its closed position. The other lock is a spring-loaded retractable sleeve slidably mounted on the main body. The sleeve is biased to a reference position on the main body wherein it encircles the free end of the arm when the arm is in its closed position and is retractable to a position beyond the arm end. In order to open the hook, both locks must be retracted in different directions simultaneously.

Abstract: A marine block employs a sheave which is rotatively mounted on an axle supported between a pair of spaced-apart cheek plates. One or more ball bearing units are provided between the axle and the sheave, each unit containing a circular array of ball bearings which engage in circular races which are disposed radially outward from the axis of the axle. Relatively large ports are formed in the cheek plates which are located directly opposite the bearing units whereby a water stream directed through the ports at one side of the block can penetrate around and between the exposed ball bearings and their races and scrub those surfaces free of dirt and film. In a preferred block embodiment, clearance spaces exist radially inboard of the sheave between the bearing units and between the sheave and the cheek plates so that water can travel directly through the block and between the sheave and the cheek plates to further facilitate cleaning the block.

Abstract: A mast shroud system includes a spreader-tang assembly composed of a rigid bracket extending entirely through the mast which functions as both a spreader root spigot and a tang for securing the terminated upper ends of shrouds to the mast. The shroud terminals are seated in pockets formed in the bracket and tubular spreaders are telescopically engaged over opposite ends of the bracket so that the spreaders lock the terminals in their respective pockets and conceal them while at the same time locking the bracket to the mast.

Abstract: A sail feeder for mounting on a mast formed with a sail receiving slot, said slot having an enlarged entrance for receiving the bolt rope of a mainsail, includes a rigid plate having a pair of legs projecting out from the plate at laterally-spaced locations thereon. The legs are oriented at the same acute angle relative to the plate and they are toed toward one another so that their free ends are spaced apart a distance less than the spacing between their ends attached to the plate. The said feeder is arranged to be secured to the mast at a location directly below the slot entrance. When raising the sail, the end of the bolt rope at the head of the sail is passed through the sail feeder and thence into the slot via its entrance. As the sail is raised by the main halyard, the bolt rope is drawn through the sail feeder which aligns the rope with the slot entrance so that hoisting of the sail can proceed without any need of manually aligning the bolt rope with the slot entrance or the feeder.

Abstract: A mast collar system for securement to a surface at the location where the mast extends down through the surface includes a rigid collar which loosely encircles the mast. Positioned in the gap between the mast and the collar is a resilient ring. An annular groove extends down into the ring and a spline is pressed down into the groove so that a fluid-tight gasket is formed between the mast and the collar. The ring or spline also includes a fin which resiliently engages the mast directly above the annular line of sealing engagement between the mast and the ring per se.