Some time ago I posted a question re Genoa Cars.

I have noticed that most peoples' are worn out, with flat spots and non-rotating sheeves etc

Having looked at what is available in the UK I didn't much like any I could find and certainly didn't like the prices.

Today my new Genoa Cars from GARHAUER in the US arrived. They are beautiful, alloy sheeves, ball races, soft lead for the sheet, large diameter pins open centres with torlon ball races.

BTW they use the same size/type genoa tracks we have in the UK and their product is available to fit the tracks you have already got - if not they'll do a custom job, so new cars and I don't have to replace all my tracks which I would have had to with Harken or Lewmar!

BUT here comes the best bit $48 each, yes only just over £25, the only comparable ones I've seen are from Harken, they dont have alloy sheeves and cost several £100s each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GARHAUER do a huge range of beautiful (and rather clever) blocks travellers stantions davits etc

All their product is US manufactured and to a very high standard and all is at a fraction of the price that similar products are available in the UK.

Take a look at their catalogue and videos on www.garhauer.com.

I found them really easy to deal with.

Please note I have no connection with Garhauer, but I thought that I would pass on the tip!

Look really good

Phil

Interesting catalogue to browse, pity the technical details often are too thin for those who aren't hardcore experts! Anyway they'll probably get my business on a couple of other items, for example the second one of these that I hope could make my life easier when I'm single-handing:

http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=63

Sorry for hijacking the thread but if you see my discussion on http://www.myhanse.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=1868&PID=13164#13164 and the picture you'll see that the mainsheet is fixed to the deck in front of the steering pedestal/wheel. Working the mainsheet in a hurry when helming is a damn hard job! So my thinking was to un-cleat the mainsheet and lead it back to a Garhauer part which would be mounted on the deck under the wheel/engine lever, where I could reach it more easily. Apart from not really having figured out what the max. line diameter etc. this item can support, any flaws with my thinking?

I think I understand what you are trying to achieve and it sounds a very sensible approach.

I am surprised more people don't have a similar arrangement.

Another way around the problem, is to consider where you actually helm from.

I am not too sure about your particular boat, but (and I'm a tiller man) I have noticed that most cruising sailors either sit or stand directly behind the wheel, whereas if you watch any racing boat, the helmsman invariably sits at one side of the wheel and steers by pushing the wheel; up or down.

As someone who has sailied tiller only boats for over 50 years, I find the transition to steering with a wheel, very difficult, especially on spinnaker reaches and in "moments of crisis!". I have found the answer is to stand in front of the wheel at one side of the boat and steer with my arm behind my back - this seems to restore the eye to brain to hand co-ordination.

Lovely looking gear, and incredible prices.

Much better value than the stuff on offer here from Barton Lewmar & Harken.

Did you get the LLC or 40-40? Stainless or Alloy.? What were the shipping costs and Import duties?

I am trying to find some J-locks at a decent price and whilst a US distributor will give me a 10% discount, the shipping by UPS is quoted at $140 on an order value of $232! With (8%?) import duty it almost makes sense to buy from Bainbridge Uk at their inflated prices.

I am tempted to follow your lead (no pun intended!)-but my track is mounted on a plinth at the base of the coachroof angled at about 40 deg from the vertical and I wonder if the LLC version can cope. I have emailed Garhauer, but what do you think.

 On the antifouling front I think I am going to try Ultraspeed this year. Might as well waste my money on something I have not yet tried, rather than on one of the tired old show ponies!

You try to get them to send it US Postal Service Surface mail(about 6 wks)-important because you get VAT and duty landed on whole lot.Go to UK customs site/link to coding dept.-they give you a coding no.for duty which you give to supplier to put on their customs declaration-sometimes you can get a better deal depending on description-EG. leisure marine might be more expensive than climbing(steeplejacking etc)safety-some items such as pulleys may fit several  catagories and so long as it looks OK to customs!

Phil

Well

Garhaur sent the four I ordered by United States Postal Services, the shipping cost was around $25.00 only.

Then Parcel Force charged me 17.5% VAT on the lot!

No import duty so it really was a bargain!

I ordered the LLC 40 with the Alloy base, and they really are beautifully made and finished off!

They certainly look as if they'll outlast both me and the boat!

I have found a source of Garhauer gear and J-locks at Mauriprosailing in Burleson Texas who are keen to deal with the Uk.

The Garhauer gear is about 4% cheaper than the Garhauer site.

I have ordered some LLC2 genoa cars and 2 No 12 J-Locks.

The price on the J-Locks is quite incredible. At today's exchange rate they were £44.62 each, as opposed to Bainbridge UK's RRP of £115.89, and the best discounted UK price I could find from Spencer Rigging of £94.12!

Including airfreight and VAT on landing I shall have, for about £220, gear, the equivalent of which (if available in the UK) would cost in excess of £400.

Some savings!!

Just shows you how we are being ripped-off in the UK.

It is also interesting how there seems to be no real competition in the UK CHandlery Market.

I have noticed how all the mailorder and Internet Chandlers seem to have the same offers on at the same time for virtually identical prices.

Frankly I'd rather like a "marine Tesco" to really sort it out.

You just have to compare the pricing on Oilskins, virtually identical and often better quality stuff is available from climbing shops at around a third of the price!

 John one thought for you.

As you are fitting J locks (personally I'm happy with good old-fashioned bowlines) it is worth getting hold of some leather and glueing a strip around your mast where they flap against it on every tack. J locks can really beat the hell out of a mast in no time if you are not careful.

Thanks for that advice David. perhaps some Twaron or similar might help, although I suspect some leather from my local saddlery shop will be cheaper.

I must say you're right on much of the waterproof &  technical clothing prices. Mrs E and I tend to buy thermal stuff etc from our local mountain/outdoor/skiing shop, where there is a wide choice, great advice, and good quality. Having said that and notwithstanding the clear cartel/ring being run by the chandleries, I would not be without my Musto oilies. However Lands End do "blousons" at about 60% of Musto prices!

Problem is that what is described as the marine "industry", whilst run in general by very nice people, is not an industry at all--not even a cottage one.

BTW what are you doing on the antifoul front this year?

Regarding mountaineering clothing......

Over the last couple of years I have bought quite a bit of US made "Columbia" shirts etc, designed for climbing etc.

They are brilliant not expensive, fully wickable/breathable etc

I see that Musto  et al are at long last starting to produce kevlar patched trousers, although at a huge price!

Best bits of gear I have found are

SEAL SKINZ gloves

They are knitted three layed (ouside is kevlar) - they look like the gloves that my grandmother used to knit, but they are completely waterproof and very warm.

If you put them on under a running tap, the gloves get wet, but your hands stay warm and dry a very wierd sensation.

I'm going to see if they make long socks, as I reckon their socks with trainers/deckshoes/sandals will be better, warmer less smelly and drier than boots at £150 a throw!

Regarding antifouling I'm going with Blakes Tiger with added "Roundup" (just sourced some!).

As Roundup washes off the fields into the sea anyway, I will not feel a great sense of guilt, it will be interesting to see if it works!

I think it was Classic Boat last month ( Feb) did a short piece on Columbia Shirts. I have a couple of similar from Outdoor Scene I bought off the remainder rail at said mountain etc shop 3 years ago. Great stuff.

Mrs E has Seal Skinz gloves for our morning bike rides at this time of the year. Warm, but not quite up to her ski mitts! But then she feels the cold terribly.

Interesting on the antifoul.

Perhaps you can post later on how the "mix" goes on, and goes off. I shall not be antifouling for a couple of months for medical reasons so feedback would be useful.