Bunge size for Genoa slides

billdre · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

I just bought a Garhauer E-Z Glide Genoa car system for my 28' O'Day. Besides the line to pull the car forward it uses a bunge cord to pull the car aft. Does anyone own a system about the same size? My question is how to decide how heavy a bunge cord to get? The way I see it the aft anchor point has to back near my cockpit winch for when I'm close hauled. I fly a 135% genoa. But for downwind I'm going to want the car way forward near the leading edge of the track. Which suggests the bunge cord is going to be pulled out to extreme length. Yet the same cord needs to have good tension when the car is back by the cockpit. I don't have any experience with bunge cords. Are these things that elastic?? I assume it works for people because I have a lot of respect for the Garhauer people and the hardward they make.
Thanks for any ideas.
Bill

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

I have the Garhauer system on my boat and don't use the bungees at all. You generally don't need a cord to pull the cars aft... the sheet will do that if it is loaded to any degree. The only time you'd need the bungee cord or a cord to pull the cars aft is when you're sailing in really light air.

If you must have a bungee... use 1/4", but use the good stuff with the cloth covering so it lasts a bit longer.

paulk · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

You can also increase the length of the "stretch" by running the bungee through a block at the end of the track and then off to some convenient stopping point, instead of simply dead-ending it at the end of the track. If you really want it to work, going up a couple of notches in dia. won't hurt.

billdre · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011

I gather, PaulK, you see this differently than Sailingdog. Since both increasing the "stretch" and going up in diameter would raise the force pulling aft on the car. Do you have this system as well? My worry was that if it required a lot of tension of hold the car "back" pulling it fully forward would exceed the stretch of the bungee cord and render it useless pretty quickly. All this will work itself out once installed but I appreciate hearing these suggestions as a place to start.
thanks,

j34035 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011

I used these cars on my j/34c (sold) and will put them on my new boat (j/37c). I used 3/8" shock cord doubled and connected them to my toe rail with a carabiner clip that could be moved for diffenerent sails, and moved to totally relax when not in use. I agree they will work without the cord, but it is nice to be able to ease the car on the windward side to a new adjustment and it drive itself to the new point. When they are loaded on the leeward side, it dont make a lot of difference. This will be my third set of Garhauers and I have been totally satisfied with my first two sets. They make a good product and have very good service.
DD

BigZ · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2011

I put the G-1UB system with 6 ft track on my Ranger 26 last summer and didn't bother with the shockcord. I was more concerned with the aesthetics of a relaxed loop of cord when the car was pulled back. But the cars work very well without it.
Just a side note, if long enough, the track can be easily curved to match the house profile if you don't like the looks of a straight track.