Sail Track Stops
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
Representative Photo, actual item may vary
What Are Sail Track Stops?
Sail track stops are a small but critical piece of sailing hardware designed to keep your mainsail's slides and slugs securely inside the mast or boom track. Without a track stop in place, every time you lower your mainsail the sail slides can slip out of the bottom of the track — sending them scattering across the deck or into the water, and turning a quick sail drop into a frustrating rigging exercise.
Simply put, a sail track stop acts as a physical barrier at the base of the track opening. When you're ready to bring the sail down, the stop holds all the slides in place so they remain threaded and ready for your next hoist. When you need to remove the sail entirely, loosening or removing the stop takes only seconds — no tools required on most designs.
How Sail Track Stops Work
Most sail track stops are inserted directly into the slot of the mast or boom track. A knurled thumbscrew or locking mechanism is then tightened to clamp the stop firmly in position. Because the hardware sits inside the track groove, it creates a positive mechanical barrier that the sail slides cannot pass. This makes raising and lowering the mainsail — including single-handed sailing and reefing underway — significantly more controlled and efficient.
Beyond simply retaining sail slides, track stops can also serve a secondary purpose: a pair of stops can be used as clamps to mount a cleat, block, or other deck hardware to the mast without drilling new holes — a technique commonly used when installing downhaul or cunningham components. This versatility makes them a useful item to keep on board even as a spare.
Choosing the Right Sail Track Stop
The most important factor when selecting a sail track stop is matching it to your mast track's profile. Mast tracks generally come in two main groove shapes — round luff grooves and flat grooves — and the stop must fit the specific opening width and depth of your spar. Always measure your existing track before ordering, and when in doubt, opt for a flat-profile stop, which tends to fit a wider variety of spars. Having one or two spares aboard is highly recommended, as these small components are easy to lose overboard during a sail change.
Top Brands in Sail Track Stops
Davis Instruments is the most recognized name in sail track stops, offering both round and flat styles to cover the broadest range of mast track configurations. Their stops are constructed from heavy-duty, black anodized aluminum and marine-grade nickel-plated brass, and feature large knurled wheels that can be tightened or released without tools — an invaluable feature when conditions get lively on the water.