Tides Marine Strong Track vs Bainbridge Sailman System

[sparty]

We are purchasing a new full battened mainsail for our Tashiba 36 and are trying to decide between the Strong Track System and the Bainbridge system.

Lots of people seem to like the Strong Track but I can find little comments on the Bainbridge system. Anyone out there have experiences to share?

[ishipaco]

I also can't help with any comments about the Bainbridge system, but I can certainly give a strong recommendation for the Strong Track system.

After many years of cruising and having "blown out" almost all of the cheap white plastic sail slides we had on our standard sail rigging on two different occasions, we installed a Strong Track system, and I've never had reason to regret that choice.

It was a snap to install, although I climbed the mast and made sure the original track was clean as a whistle. The Strong Track "track converter" strip slid all the way up with almost no effort. The slides and batten cars are very strong and well made. Raising and lowering the mainsail was a breeze after the installation. We used that system during many tens of thousands of miles of cruising. Although we managed to blow out the mainsail on two occasions, the Strong Track gear was never damaged or at fault.

It's expensive, of course, but IMO a very wise choice.

[Inkwell]

Just installed it ( Tide Track). So far so good. It is a breeze to rise sail.

[sparty]

Thanks for all the input. I did not get any responses from Brainbridge system users but decided on the strong track system based upon all the positive feedback. We have one on order with our new sails.