A cleaner solution for permanently hoisted sails
Furling mainsails and roller-furling headsails can remain hoisted for an entire season, leaving a full-length halyard coiled at the mast or under a sprayhood. Seldén's Halyard Tensioner 32 is designed to remove that surplus line while maintaining the required luff tension.
The sail is initially hoisted using a messenger connected to the halyard. Once the halyard is attached to the tensioner's upper point, a temporary tail line is led from the lower point to a winch for final adjustment.
Track car locks the chosen tension
The car runs on a 32mm track and uses a spring-loaded plunger to engage successive trim positions as the line is tensioned. Once the desired setting is reached, both the messenger and temporary tail can be removed and stowed until the sail needs to come down.
Seldén machines the car from anodised aluminium and uses plain bearings with a spring-loaded twist handle. The design is intended to reduce snagging while retaining a straightforward mechanical locking arrangement.
Working load aimed at substantial cruising rigs
The published safe working load is 2,000kg, making the system relevant well beyond small sailing boats. Seldén offers the track in 740mm and 1,090mm lengths so designers and owners can match the installation to available mast space and adjustment range.
For larger cruising yachts, reducing loose line around the mast can improve both deck organisation and routine access. It also keeps a permanently hoisted sail's tensioning arrangement separate from a long halyard that otherwise has to be stored securely.
A specialist solution rather than a universal replacement
The system is most logical where a sail is rarely lowered and the mast or deck layout can accommodate the dedicated track. Yachts that regularly change sails may still favour a conventional halyard because it preserves more flexibility.
As with any high-load rigging component, installation should account for mast structure, attachment loads and the sailmaker's luff-tension requirements. The attraction is a cleaner finished arrangement without giving up controlled mechanical adjustment.
