I've been trying to get ahold of Fathom Metalworks to see if they can send me a new gooseneck slide - with the extended pin - I've left phone messages and email messages - anyone have luck getting ahold of them or know where I might find one - I miss Compac Inc !!!! I saw the post using a Dwyer slide - my second question is that a better system than what Compac did ? Thanks
Ken J
Ken J:
I suggest that you check out Bruce's modification of that slide on his Picnic Cat. I would likely follow his example if I were working on my SunDayCat's gooseneck slide.
Bruce:
If you're listening, please provide links to your prior posts about this. Thanks!
Regards, Roland
Here's a couple of links. Lots to wade through (and forum and company website changes!) but the bottom line is to replace the Com-Pac modified slide with the extended ring with the same slide that is used for the boom. Both are running in the mast track, so the slidy bit is the same.
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=12632.0
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11155.0
Dwyer has improved their website since 2023, and you should be able to locate the slide in question. As I recall, the price had gone up considerably.
Yup, Zfami found a cheaper source for the slide and posted this last August.
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=13013.msg95943#msg95943
So do yall think that's a better way to go than what Compac did with their boats ?
Not all Sun Cat owners have experienced a problem with the extended ring, but a significant number have. Most if not all PC owners have had problems, and the fix I describe works great.
I would look at the top of your gaff for scarring from the gaff pinching on the extended ring when sailing as described in the links. If there is significant scarring, I would avoid using the extended ring. If it's minimal, or absent, and your extended ring hasn't been significantly bent to the side, then I see no reason to change. On those boats where the extended ring has broken off due to repeated bending and metal fatigue, a new extended ring isn't going to help.
In many cases, the weld affixing the extended ring to the slide itself rubs on the cast gaff end cap, leaving scarring there as well. There's no room there for an extended ring, or need. The ring at the bottom of the slide mod works fine, the extended ring offers no significant advantage. As long as you're pulling up on the slide evenly from both sides, with a loop, soft shackle, whatever, the slide shows no tendency to twist and jam in the track, if that's your concern.
I suspect Com-Pac peaked the gaff on the PC at a higher angle, tighter to the mast, accounting for the difference in the frequency of the problem. I haven't been able to confirm that.
Thanks, Bruce:
You've described the situation and the trade-offs well.
Ken J:
For myself, if/when my extended loop slide fails, I will not replace it with another of the same.
Rather, I would copy Bruce's method.
Bruce has engineered some good modifications on his Picnic Cat.
I have adopted his throat halyard (and gaff) downhaul method.
Also like him, I have changed the throat halyard to 2:1 purchase.
Although we anchor the end of the line of the throat halyard differently,
we both have an upward facing block at the gaff gooseneck to provide the 2:1.
Regards, Roland