Mini swivel base inspired by Silver medalist
Performance hardware manufacturer Holt says it has been working hard to improve its cam cleats and swivels over the last year. Using its ' Team Holt' sponsored sailors as a sounding board for new ideas, it has improved and developed new products with smoother cam action and swivel bases that eradicate play in the track or bearing systems.
One of the new products to come out of Holt's continuous research and development programme is the new ball bearing mini swivel base. "Ian Barker, Silver medalist in the 49er at the Sydney Games was the inspiration and motivation behind this product, " explained Zeb Elliott, Holt's Joint Managing Director. "In discussions with Ian we could see the need for a base for a cleat that would allow smooth rotation from difficult or vertical angles - the typical scenario on a 49er."
A dual ball race system was incorporated into a swivel base using Holt's dynamic stainless steel system, where stainless steel ball bearings run on stainless steel tracks. The stability, efficiency and performance of the base was then combined with Holt's improved cam cleat and assembled at an angle that answered Barker's exact requirements.
