Genoa track installation question

[Tsuru]

The normal headsail for our Catalina 36 tm is a high cutt 95% roller furler and even at the furthest foreword pin hole the fare lead is too far back. To solve this I’m going to extend the Genoa track foreword 12” to 14” (although I only need about 4” to 6”).
There is plenty of space to do the job.
The original track sits on a molded in flat spot on the side deck. The new track will extend over the molded in non slip.

My current plan is to just extend the track over the non slip and bed either with Butyl or Silkaflex. Although it’s more work and mess I could mill the gelcoat texture flat with a router.

Any thoughts on this? Will installing the track over the molded in gelcoat lead to leaks or other issues?

Thanks,
Ray


FYI-I’m posting this same question in the Catalina 36 owners site also…..

[Cheechako]

I don't think Catalina deck gel is too rough ...right? So it will likely be fine. A couple of questions though. Depending on your plans...
-Is there any room on your sail luff vs the headstay length? Can you add a pendent to the tack thus moving the fairlead up and back on the existing track?
or
-How new is the sail? Is it worth having the foot cut a bit so the clew is higher insteead of drilling holes in the boat?
It seems strange that a high cut 95% would not reach the normal track. I used mainly high cut 110-115% (see my avatar) and they were no problem.

[Tsuru]

Indeed the non slip is pretty smooth and I share your concern regarding drilling holes in the deck of our dry boat.

That said the headsail has less than 1 season and there is no room to raise the sail (maybe inches).

I appreciate your thoughful response.

Ray