Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to post any comments to our blog at:
1. Why do I need a rack system for my sailboat?
A boat, like a car, has a finite amount of space. This requires sailors to be particular about what gear is brought aboard and how it is stored. Unlike a car, many sailors are living on their boats for varying amounts of time. Some sailors may spend a weekend while other may be liveaboards. This fact puts a premium on space for any boat – power or sail.
The sailboat rack takes advantage of the “no man’s land” space on a sailboat – the space between the deck and the boom. By installing the sailboat rack, the sailor dramatically increases the utility of his yacht by allowing a platform to securely store additional gear on deck.
The rack serves as a platform that allows sailors to attach cargo boxes, dinghies, solar panels and a multitude of other items. The rack allows a very efficient way to organize gear in a design that is aesthetically pleasing and that does not detract from the overall look of the yacht.
2. Will the Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack fit my boat?
The Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack System has been designed to accommodate sailboats that have standard teak or stainless handrails or handrails. Handrails are common on the majority of sailboats with the exception of many flush deck designs where handrails are not applied.
Two factors which have been compensated for in the design include 1) the height of the handrail and 2) the thickness of the handrail.
The height of the handrail is typically between 1-2 inches from the cabin top deck to the underside of the handrail. On some boats this height of the handrail may be slightly greater. The design of the sailboat rack accommodates the height of the handrail by applying adjustable level mounts which exit from the base of the rack foundation block and compensate for any increase in the height of the handrail. Maximum height of the adjustment is 3.5 inches.
Handrail thickness is also a variable that has been compensated for by the rack system. The two halves of the foundation block need to find a firm grip around the handrail. For this reason, a black, rubber compression piece has been applied to provide a cushion between the foundation block halves and the handrail. A black rubber compression shim can also be added if sufficient grip cannot be achieved with the compression piece alone.
One final variable is the amount of space available to either side of the handrail. There must be at least 2 inches to either side of the hand rail to allow the level mounts at the base of the rack foundation block to find a grip. On certain Catalinas,for example, the cabin top is a custom mold and would not allow for the installation of the rack system.
3. Will my handrails be stressed when the rack is loaded?
No. Very limited stress will be placed on the handrail if the rack system is installed correctly. The reason is that the handrail serves merely as a mounting point for the rack system. Once a rack foundation block is mounted, the level mounts which are located at the base of the block can be extended and adjusted to meet the natural curve of the deck. Once the natural curve of the deck is defined, all weight and stress will transfer to the level mounts and the round, rubber level mount feet. When the boat heels, the load transfers not to the handrail but to the four level mounts of each block.
4. How much weight can be loaded on the sailboat rack system?
The rack has been rated to 150 lbs. Ideally, 90lbs - 110lbs is an ideal load.
5. Will the sailboat rack system perform in heavy weather?
Barrington Marine has undergone extensive design development and testing to ensure that the rack will perform in gales and heavy weather. The rack system was subject to 6 gales and two squalls over the course of two Trans-Atlantic crossings in 2007/2008 while loaded with 130lbs of gear(rigid dinghy/kitesurf & windsurf gear).
Provided that the rack system is installed correctly to handrails that are professionally installed (not simply fastened with screws!) and provided that the rack is not overloaded (gear equal to 150 lbs or less), we guarantee the performance of the rack system for any weather up to 60 knots. (See Video above to see footage of the rack in heavy weather)
Barrington Marine also guarantees the product for the your first ocean voyage, ocean crossing or extended cruise. The rack system has been designed to provide years of service withour flaw or defect.
6. Is drilling through the deck of my sailboat required to install the sailboat rack system?
No. Absolutely no drilling is required with the rack system. This is the beauty of the design – the rack can be installed and uninstalled in 25 minutes or less with only an allen wrench and standard pliers. Once broken down, the rack stores easily without awkward-shaped parts that can be a drawback on a cruising yacht.
7. What accessories can be mounted to the rack system?
Barrington Marine has partnered with leading car rack manufacturer Yakima, inc. to provide a range of Yakima accessories that would be ideal for many types of boating gear.
For a full list of accessories offered and to understand better how the accessories might be used, please visit the website page titled "Accessories & Uses."
8. Will my storage box for my car fit on the sailboat rack ?
Absolutely. The sailboat rack system has been design to accommodate virtually every Thule and Yakima rack accessory. This means that any Thule or Yakima storage box will easily be adapted to the rack system.
We cannot guarantee that other brands of automotive cargo boxes will also fit. Please call and our staff can investigate compatibility. Cargo boxes offered by Barrington Marine are noted on the website page titled "Accessories & Uses."
9. What materials are used in the sailboat rack system?
Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack Systems are made of the highest quality marine grade materials. Three major materials groups were used in developing the parts for the rack and include the application of glass-filled Nylon 66 with UV inhibitors (as used for plastic parts by Yakima), 6061 marine grade aluminum for the crossbar pieces, and 304 Stainless steel for the knobs, level mounts, screws and allen head bolts.
10. Is the sailboat rack system only for bluewater sailors?
Definitely not. The rack system is an excellent addition to any boat for a trip spanning anywhere from overnight to several years. The applications of the rack system are numerous and it will depend on the needs of each sailor to determine how he/she will use the rack to improve his/her cruising experience.
11. What are some uses of the rack when cruising?
The rack system can be used for a multiplicity of uses. Some more obvious uses include dinghy storage for rigid or inflatable dinghies, solar panels attaching an automotive cargo box to store boat gear(such as running rigging, sails, dive gear, fold-up bicycles,fenders, groceries, spare anchors, etc,), surfboards, kayaks, oars, whisker/spinnaker poles, spare propane tanks, liferafts and fishing poles.
Less obvious applications could include using the rack as a workbench for cutting wood, attaching a vice, hanging spare dock lines, attaching a Yakima basket for wet gear, mounting bicycles beneath the boom, and using the rack for a mini-bar/cutting board/drink holder.
To gather additional rack usage idea, please visit the website page titled "Accessories & Uses."
12. How long will it take for me to assemble the rack on my sailboat?
Rack assembly or disassembly from start to finish should not take longer than 25 minutes. The rack can readily be assembled by one person. However, we highly recommend two people be involved as it will be much easier to adjust the crossbar to the desired height.
Please visit the page "Install Video" for further installation instructions in a video format.
13. Is the crossbar only offered in Black?
NO. The crossbar is shown in black only for our testing purposes for our original samples. The final crossbar product is an off-white color that matches the color of the foundation block.
14. Will I be able to see once gear is loaded on deck?
The rack has been designed so that each of the foundation blocks is 11 inches off the deck. The height of the blocks has been incorporated to clear any deck gear such as hatches and deck hardware. Also, the 11 inch space allows the sailor to have a view forward to the bow – a must when sailing coastally and in tight harbors. This added visibility means the rack will not obstruct a skipper’s view when at the helm.
15. I have limited deck space below the boom due to a boom vang and/or mainsheet traveler. How could I use the rack given these constraints?
On older, more traditional boats, the mainsheet is usually locate at the end of the boom and there may be a topping lift rather than a boom vang. This allows for a lot of area beneath the boom and is an ideal amount of space for the rack.
For more modern boats, the mainsheet is usually located on the cabin top and a boom vang is also used to support the boom. This reduces the amount of clear space under the boom. The rack system can still be used effectively for boats with limited deck space in several applications.
First, Barrington Marine will be offering what are known as “Connector Bars” which will be available in mid to late July 2009. Connector bars allow the two existing crossbars to be connected by two lengthwise bars traveling from the forward bar to a spot on the rear crossbar. The Connector Bars allow the sailor to store items across the deck rather than lengthwise along the deck. For example, the connector bars will allow a cargo box to easily be installed in the space between a mainsheet traveler and a boom vang as the box will now attach to the two connector bars which hinge to the main crossbars.
Secondly, on boats with limited clear space below the boom, it may require the sailor to decrease the width of the crossbars to allow the crossbars to fit comfortably forward of the traveler but behind the boom vang.
16. How much boom clearance will I need to safely use the rack system?
Boom Clearance will depend largely upon the height of the item stored on the rack. The rack, once installed, on average should use about 12 inches of vertical height inclusive of the crossbar. You simply need to add the thickest section of the item to be stored on the rack and add it to the 12 inches. This will determine the overall height required from the deck.
For example, a Yakima Space Cadet 15S has a thickness of 15 inches. The thickness of the cargo box plus the rack height means the boom clearance must be 27 inches. we would definitely suggest factoring in another 2-4 inches to allow for boom swing. This means the overall minimum boom clearance from the deck to the boom would need to be 29 inches.
17. Can I use the rack system for my powerboat?
Provided that your powerboat has handrails, and at least 2 inches to either side of the handrails, the rack system could easily be installed on a power cruiser or a trawler.
18. Will the rack system accommodate flat handrails such as can be found on certain Beneteaus?
Yes. If the width of the flat part of the handrail is equal to or less than 1.6 inches or 40mm, the rack will be able to be mounted to the sailboat.
However, if the flat handrail is recessed within a custom channel built into the cabin top, it is unlikely that the rack will be able to adapt to the boat. Please call our offices and we will provide a consultation.
19. How far apart should the bars be?
The distance between the crossbars will depend on several factors.
First, the space available under the boom is the first factor. If this space is constrained by a mainsheet traveler, a dodger or a boom vang, then this will affect the width of the crossbars.
The second factor will depend on the size of the gear attached to the deck. For example, a longer item stored lengthwise such as a dinghy would require the crossbars to be farther apart.
A third factor would be the application of the rack. For example, if the rack was going to be used to store gear in a cargo box and the cargo box was to be position from port to starboard rather than lengthwise along the deck, then the crossbars would need to be closer together.
21.What lengths of the crossbar are offered?
The Barrington Marine horizontal crossbar is made up of three sections: two horizontal posts and a middle crossbar piece that is larger in diameter and slides over the two horizontal pieces.
The distance between the handrails at the point where the sailor wishes to mount the foundation blocks will provide an idea of the crossbar lengths needed. Barrington Marine offers a range of crossbar lengths from just under 3 feet to up to 9.6 feet. This range will accommodate the width of handrails on virtually any yacht under 60 feet.
Barrington Marine offers four lengths of the middle crossbar section that allow for the following adjustability:
* Crossbar#1 Adjustability Range: (Min: 35.5 inches, Max: 55 inches )
* Crosssbar #2 Adjustability Range: (Min: 56 inches, Max 76 inches)
* Crossbar #3 Adjustability Range: (Min77 inches, Max 97 inches)
* Crossbar #4 Adjustability Range: (Min 98 inches, Max 116 inches)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETERMINING CROSSBAR LENGTH CAN BE DOWNLOADED ON THE "INSTALL VIDEO" PAGE OF THE WEBSITE: WWW.SAILBOATRACK.COM
20. How much is the Barrington Marine Sailboat Rack System and what is included in the selling price?
Barrington Marine offers the rack system for $549 which is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (does not include shipping). We would like to create an incentive for the early stage adopters to become familiar with the product and to provide us with important market feedback.
The sailboat rack system ranges in retail price between $549 and $649. The variability in price relates to the length of the middle crossbar piece required. The longer the crossbar piece, the more expensive the system. This is due in large part because marine grade aluminum is priced by weight. Since longer piece require more aluminum, the cost also rises.
21. Why is a sailboat rack higher in price than a car rack?
The costs to produce a marine grade rack system are significantly higher than for a car rack. Car racks apply much lower grade components and metals such as zinc and steel. Also, the engineering behind the majority of car racks does not require any adaptatation to curves as found on boat decks. Barrington Marine sailboat racks have been engineered with premium components that will withstand the marine environment inclusing marine grade stainless and 6061 aluminum. The sailboat rack is also required to perform under greater stresses on a curved surface which are not usual conditions while driving. For this reason, the costs for a sailboat rack will be significantly higher than for a car rack.
22. How do I order my sailboat rack system and how can I pay for it?
An order can be made in two ways;
1. By phone: Call 1-617-233-7161 or 1-401-626-4650/4651. One of our staff members will provide a consultation for your specific yacht to ensure the compatability of the rack system.
2. By e-mail: Please submit any order,order requests or inquiries to our e-mail address: orders@sailboatrack.com. A staff member will confirm the order and a time to schedule a phone consultation regarding your vessel.
Payment can be made easily in three ways:
A.
Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard and American Express will be accepted without penalties
B.PayPal: If you have a PayPal account, you can move funds to our company PayPal Account
C.Check: Checks can be mailed to us and made out to "Barrington Marine" but note an order will not ship until the check has been received and has cleared. An invoice will be mailed to you and it can be printed and mailed with a check to: Accounts Receivable Department - Barrington Marine, 112 Middle St., Riverside, RI 02915
