I've broken the traveler car on my square hoop NSM4 (3428). Can anyone tell me the likely manufacturer of the car so that I can talk to them about spares? The end stops hit the plastic track on the car instead of something substantial and have broken them letting all the plastic balls escape.

Many thanks

David

I suspect a picture here will be worth a few thousand words.

On the subject of balls ... if you can find a few lying around in the bottom of the boat to measure, you can buy some new ones easily enough ... if they are stainless steel, any bearing shop will help you out ... if they are plastic, they are more than likely 3/16" diameter ... the standard Karken Torlon bearings will be fine.

They also come in 1/4 and 5/32

I've taken some pictures of the traveler car:

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28001%29.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28002%29.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28003%29.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28004%29.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28005%29.jpg
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~iss046/Merlin/14062010%28006%29.jpg

The second and fourth pictures, if I have the order right, show the problem. The plastic end caps of the traveler car are broken which has allowed the balls to escape. Replacing the balls will not work without replacing the end caps. I think I rescued all the balls anyway. So the question is, can anyone positively identify the traveler car and tell me where to get spares for it? I am really hoping that I do not need to buy a new one as they are pretty expensive!

Many thanks

David

Never seen the car but the bearings look similar to the Harken ones - suggest that you measure and see if they would fit then perhaps glue end caps together?

Otherwise, find a friend in the US (or someone there for a week or so) and buy a new one at less than half price.

The car looks like something that Barton Marine would produce. Can't get onto their site at work but the anodising looks similar and the plastic end caps look like their work.

Thank you. I think you are right, it is a Barton Marine part. That wasn't what I was expecting. On the plus side, they are a fair bit cheaper though.  

Thanks

David

And now you know why they are cheaper...

At first glance, I also said "Barton", but I couldn't seen anything at second glance to turn the guess into fact.

Fair play to Barton, they are going to send me replacement parts for the traveller car free, despite the fact that it was probably dodgy end stops that broke it! Top marks for customer service. I just hope the design hasn't changed too much over the years...

David

Dear David,
Once one has lost one's balls Merlins are out and one should consider trading down to something more pedestrian such as a 49er.  Hoping this helps.
Kind Regards,
Dan Alsop

Merlin 3428 once belonged to me & so I might even have made the hoop. In which case it is entirely possible that it is a Barton traveler & car. If so, think I have some spare ball bearings for that particular car somewhere but perhaps not a full set... If the ones sent by Barton are not the same let me know the size together with how many you require & I will look them out.  I might even have a spare end cap.

RE:>>And now you know why they are cheaper...
I must take that comment back. 
If Barton are prepared to send you a new car / end cap / balls, then that sounds like EXCELLENT service.

As they are run by a former Merlin Rocket sailor only to be expected!

Charlie - You don't happen to have two spare end caps do you? I have got the new ones from Barton, but they don't look quite the same... I'll happily pay postage etc.

Many thanks

David

David

Sorry for the delay but after a lifetime of sailing, building boats etc had a few boxes to go through & naturally they were in the last box...

Also, the forum seems to have "lost" my original reply...

Anyway have two spare end caps & some white nylon ball bearings 4.7mm (3/16") & 6.3mm (1/4")

Will need your adress so please email it to me or phone

[email protected]          07970 903987

Have not heard from David R...

Is anyone who knows him attending the Whitstable Merlin open this weekend?

I no longer sail a Merlin but intend to be at the club Saturday but not Sunday.

Excellent news Charlie. I have sent you an Email. Sorry for the delay and many thanks.

David