Skip to main content

ECA Logo Version 11 

Slideshow
Header Slideshow
Add Me To Your Mailing List

Ensign Sailing Forum

Cabin Top Track Lead Location
Author Last Post
Attached is a diagram I made according to the class rule

Billy Richnow
Fleet 2 Houston Yacht Club
Dynamite 519


On Mon, Sep 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM Bud Brown (sailorbud1085@gmail.com) <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:
View/reply online
Reply to forum at ensignsailing@ensignclass.com
Reply directly to Bud Brown at sailorbud1085@gmail.com
If this message contains inappropriate content, you can report the message online
Mike,

Feel free to call with questions or to discuss...

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

Mike,

Feel free to call with questions or to discuss...

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

On Mon, Sep 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM Bud Brown (sailorbud1085@gmail.com) <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:
View/reply online
Reply to forum at ensignsailing@ensignclass.com
Reply directly to Bud Brown at sailorbud1085@gmail.com
If this message contains inappropriate content, you can report the message online
The images in the post from Edward Kokoski show the track locations of the working jib, not the blade. Those tracks are quite a bit further aft than where the blade tracks should be located. The working jib is a smaller headsail whose high clew needs tracks positioned further aft.

In my opinion, the blade is a much better sail for day sailing, singlehanding and for shortening sail in windy/flatter sea state conditions.

For accommodating only the blade, the middle of the blade tracks would be on the "sweet spot" for the lead cars, with the same amount of track forward of the designated location as aft. However, the rule states the tracks can be extended aft to accommodate proper lead position for the working jib as well (two tracks on the cabin top instead of four...):

"Blade jib sheet lead blocks shall be confined to the cabin top. The tracks for these blocks shall

be no less than 16" long and may be extended aft to accommodate lead blocks for the working

jib. The athwartship center of each track shall be no more than 17.5" abeam of a point on the

centerline measured 7' 6" aft of the foremost stemhead-fitting hole. Each track must be aligned

toward this same hole. The track position may be adjusted up to 1/2" forward or aft to avoid

drilling bolt holes through the cabin top ribs."


Measure 7' 6" aft of the foremost stemhead hole (which will be just in front of the partners), then measure 17.5" directly athwartship (90°) to either side to find the "sweet spot". With that location marked and with 16" tracks, the middle of the track would be placed there, with 8" in front and aft of that position.


I snapped a chalk line secured at the foremost stemhead hole, which passed through the "sweet spot" mark to ensure the track pointed in the correct direction.


Be sure:


1) Your track mounting holes and car adjustment holes are the same from side to side.

2) The mounting holes miss the cabin top ribs inside the cabin (stiffening gussets).

3) Mount the tracks using butyl tape and the recommended method of mounting deck hardware (countersinking the mounting holes to avoid spider cracks and enhancing proper sealing.)


https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/



Best regards,


Bud Brown




--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

The images in the post from Edward Kokoski show the track locations of the working jib, not the blade. Those tracks are quite a bit further aft than where the blade tracks should be located. The working jib is a smaller headsail whose high clew needs tracks positioned further aft.

In my opinion, the blade is a much better sail for day sailing, singlehanding and for shortening sail in windy/flatter sea state conditions.

For accommodating only the blade, the middle of the blade tracks would be on the "sweet spot" for the lead cars, with the same amount of track forward of the designated location as aft. However, the rule states the tracks can be extended aft to accommodate proper lead position for the working jib as well (two tracks on the cabin top instead of four...):

"Blade jib sheet lead blocks shall be confined to the cabin top. The tracks for these blocks shall

be no less than 16" long and may be extended aft to accommodate lead blocks for the working

jib. The athwartship center of each track shall be no more than 17.5" abeam of a point on the

centerline measured 7' 6" aft of the foremost stemhead-fitting hole. Each track must be aligned

toward this same hole. The track position may be adjusted up to 1/2" forward or aft to avoid

drilling bolt holes through the cabin top ribs."


Measure 7' 6" aft of the foremost stemhead hole (which will be just in front of the partners), then measure 17.5" directly athwartship (90°) to either side to find the "sweet spot". With that location marked and with 16" tracks, the middle of the track would be placed there, with 8" in front and aft of that position.


I snapped a chalk line secured at the foremost stemhead hole, which passed through the "sweet spot" mark to ensure the track pointed in the correct direction.


Be sure:


1) Your track mounting holes and car adjustment holes are the same from side to side.

2) The mounting holes miss the cabin top ribs inside the cabin (stiffening gussets).

3) Mount the tracks using butyl tape and the recommended method of mounting deck hardware (countersinking the mounting holes to avoid spider cracks and enhancing proper sealing.)


https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/



Best regards,


Bud Brown




--
Best regards,

Bud Brown

281.468.6909 cell and text

This is how they look on my ensign 538.

IMG_1636.jpegIMG_1635.jpeg

Sent from my iPhone

I don't have a cabin top track for a blade lead on my boat. In a non-scientific survey at Nationals, about 1/3 of boats do not, so not that unusual. It's something I want to add so we have the option to change down if we are sailing "light" in near 20 knots.


I'm only planning to add a 16" piece of track. I know the port/starboard track locations because of the Class Rules. Can someone kindly share the approximate dimension to where the blade lead goes from the back of the cabin top so I can make sure my short track covers the lead sweet spot?


Or maybe I don't understand the rules. Does the middle of any size track just have to be "a point on the 

centerline measured 7' 6" aft of the foremost stem head-fitting hole. Each track must be aligned toward this same hole. The track position may be adjusted up to 1/2" forward or aft to avoid drilling bolt holes through the cabin top ribs."


Thanks,

Mike Vining

USA 101

Return to Forum
Sponsor Number URL address
Sponsor 1 https://www.quantumsails.com/en/default
Sponsor 2 http://www.triadtrailers.com/
Sponsor 3 http://www.ussailing.org
Sponsor 4 http://www.northsails.com
Sponsor 5 http://www.spectrumphotofg.com
Sponsor 6 http://www.defender.com
Sponsor 7 http://www.ensignspars.com
Sponsor 9 http://www.patterson-marine.com
Sponsor 10 https://stores.crsapparel.com/ensign_class/shop/home
Sponsor 11 https://zbloksun.com/

ENSIGN CLASS Sponsors