DESIGN ORIGINS Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack Systems are the world's first rack system for sailboats. The Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack System was invented by US Sailor, Neil Malik during two sailing trips made over the last 10 years.
Malik developed a rack system which used the handrails as attachment points. Handrails are common on nearly every sailboat. Malik took influences from his windsurfing experiences and added a rubber compression piece between the rack foundation block and the handrail. The rubber compression piece added a way for the rack foundation block to grip the handrail without too much pressure. The dilemna was that the handrails could not be relied upon to endure the stress of any loads placed on it. When the boat heeled, the weight would shift to the handrail and likely result in tearing the handrail from the cabin top.
Malik realized the need to effectively utilize the deck space between the cabin top and the boom. This space was never properly utilized by sailors and could allow a vessel far more storage capability if a way could be developed to secure gear to the deck cabin top. During his two voyages, Malik used the rack system to house his 100lb rigid dinghy (loaded with oars, sailing rig, etc.) and all of his kitesurfing and windsurfing gear (an additional 50 lbs).
FOUNDATION BLOCKSMalik realized that a rack system could be developed allowing sailors to store an additional 150 lbs of gear on the deck. This could be effectively accomplished by attaching rack foundation blocks to the teak or stainless hand rails common on every sailboat.
LOAD TRANSFER What Malik discovered was that if the base of the rack's foundation block was wide enough, load would transfer to the base of the block and NOT to the handrail. The problem was that all sailboats have some degree of curve in their decks. This meant the rack system had to be able to adapt to each boat's curve in order to develop a universal mounting system. In order to compensate for the deck curve, Malik, introduced stainless steel level mounts to the base of the block which could extend from the base as well as angle. The level mount feet were made of hard durometer rubber and could be angled up to 30 degrees.
The result was perfect - now a sailor could mount the rack's foundation block to virtually any sailboat. Custom fit could be achieved on the handrail via a compression piece and, if needed, a compression shim. Custom fit could be acheived on the deck by extending the stainless level mounts and then allowing the level mount feet to find their home on the curved deck..
Once two foundation blocks were set up on opposing handrails, a 90 degree angle could be established which allowed the aluminum crossbar to easily slide into the top of the foundation block.
DESIGN FEATURES It was imperative that the crossbar could be adjusted in length to accommodate a variety of yachts. A pin system, as used predominantly on windsurfing booms, was applied to allow adjustment in the length of the crossbar.
In addition, a sailor need to be able to adjust the height of the crossbar to avoid deck hardware and hatches. A pin system was added to the vertical crossbar post applying a pin with a cotter to secure a specific crossbar height. In addition, a gasket with a collar was added to the top of the foundation block to prevent the crossbar from dislodging with any vertical, upward pull caused by a surging wave, a line snagging on the rack during a jibe or during sail.
Another feature is the nylon cleat that can be added to either face of the foundation block. The cleat allows the sailor an easy point to lash down straps or lines used to secure gear to the rack.
Clearly, the rack foundation blocks needed to be joined in a manner that would prevent separation. Malik applied 6 bolt holes to allow the block to be held together by 5/16" stainless bolts.
Finally, the rack system needed to be of serious marine grade quality components. Malik spared no expense in ensuring that only marine grade materials were used in the production of the rack system. Four major materials were used in the development of the rack system: stainless steel (level mounts, bolts, knobs and screws), 6061 marine grade aluminum (crossbar parts), nylon 66 (foundation block) and hard durometer rubber.
