Selden MDS cars experience?

[GRIT]

Is anyone using the Selden MDS mainsail cars? I'm talking about the ones that mount internally to the mast, not the external cars on a track.

We've decided to purchase a Selden Mast, and have been offered their MDS cars for our mainsail. The mainsail is over 800 square feet in area, and I'm concerned with being able to drop it in a blow.

Our original plan was to go with the harken switch track, but then decided we'd really need the ball bearing, system B type battcars.

Does anyone, with larger sails, have any experience with the Selden "in the mast" battcars?

Thanks.
Paul.

[mglonnro]

We have that, but the mainsail is just 468 sq feet. It's the "performance" option for most Hanse models, the bigger ones as well.

For us (with just one season of usage) it has worked great. I scanned the myhanse site for comments, as well, and everyone seemed to like it: easier to get the sail both up and down.

[GRIT]

Thank you Mglonnro, for your response.

I'm glad to hear you like yours, and that you didn't find any negative comments on the Hanse site. Thank you for your research.

Cheers.
Paul.

[DougM]

I have selden on my Gemini catamaran. They work as expected, and they have been durable, boat is 2007 and all originals are still working except one that cracked, not sure why but it was at the end of the largest batten.

[GRIT]

Thank you DougM. That's good to hear.

So far, nothing bad to worry about.

Anyone else?

Cheers.
Paul.

[sowwaninii]

Had new full battened main of similar size installed last fall with 4 wheel cars. They all failed on our trip south and we’re replaced with the 6 wheel version. So far, no problems.

[GRIT]

Thank you sowwaninii.

I called Selden today, to confirm the cars had 6 wheels. They specced the MDS 68 cars, which are 6 wheeled, and cast in aluminum. Perhaps they learned from your experience...

Thanks for your comments, that was very helpful.

Cheers.
Paul.

[toolbar]

I have the Selden MDS system on my trimaran with a 42sqm square head main. This works perfectly. Sail drops like a guillotine.

If you go with the Selden mast, I see no reason not to go with the corresponding Selden hardware. IMHO nothing else makes sense.

Paul

[GRIT]

Thanks Paul.

I'd like to keep with one supplier, but I wasn't sure if their system worked well, or was reliable. I know they make good masts, but I wouldn't take it on faith, that their other equipment was of the same quality. Sometimes a manufacturer reaches too far, for the almighty dollar, and makes crap for accessories.

Thanks for your comments, I'm very glad to hear that the sail comes down so quickly. I'm fairly confident, thanks to this thread, and internet research, that I'm making the right choice.

Cheers.
Paul.