Gate for Slugs Thingy

[dvuyxx]

The gate that closes the entry for my mainsail mast slugs (term???) seems like it's worn and not closing all the way snug to the mast. This makes my slugs get stuck one-by-one as I haul them up. I have to push them by hand past this point where it's catching. If I wad something behind the cotter pin to tighten the door, it helps and the slugs don't catch.

Has anyone ever replaced this hardware? I can't seem to find one in the usual places. I thought about putting a washer around the cotter pin to give it a squeeze ... but that doesn't seem like a permanant solution.

I'm sure this part has a salty name like the "wellingham" or the "blarrgengate."

See photo:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[JSL3]

Originally Posted by dvuyxx

Has anyone ever replaced this hardware? I can't seem to find one in the usual places. I thought about putting a washer around the cotter pin to give it a squeeze ... but that doesn't seem like a permanant solution.

How about this:
MetalMast Mainsail Gates

[Barquito]

I have the same design on my watchamacallit. It might help to have a long pin in the hinge end too. I also filed the corners in the slot smoother. As a last resort, I was thinking of bending the gate a little. Replacements are available.
MetalMast Mainsail Gates

I would be interested to know others solution.

[dvuyxx]

Jim and Barquito, thanks so much! I will definitely look at MetalMast ... it seems to the be the right part. "Mainsail Gate" ... what kind of name is that?

[dvuyxx]

Woo boy ... $89 clams! They seem to be the only purveyors of this part.

So, Barquito, do you think that our hinges are not aligning because they are worn/warped? I want to make sure a new part would solve the problem.

[Barquito]

Not sure if I Could see clearly enough on the pix, but it looked like there wasn't a pin. Even if there is, mine has a lot of play in the hinge. I Figure mine would work fine of there was no play in the hinge and it would stay completely closed.

[johnnyandjebus]

dvuyxx

I have to confess I have no idea how the hardware you are talking about works???
With that said if it is used to prevent the mainsail slugs from sliding out of the track, perhaps a slide stop would be a good alternative??

See product K-11198 on the following page
MetalMast Mainsail Gates

Please disregard this post if I am completely off base on this.

John

[Barquito]

Usually the mast gate is a few feet above where you would want the sail to stack. It is just a matter of getting the thing to position in exactly the right place.