Tips on lowering sails

[bshipp]

A couple of other suggestions for the main...

Someone makes a polymer sail track insert which, along with stainless slides, works great. I got mine from Doyle Sails but I bet any loft can do them.

You might consider lazy jacks. They make getting down the main much easier... or at least keep it fairly neat on the way down. I went the next step and got Doyle to install a system they call "stack pack" but that I've renamed "Luff 'n Stuff." Basically the system eliminates independent sail covers and attaches a permanent set of covers to the lazy jacks and to the sail, creating a bag that the sail falls into. No sail ties, no sail covers -- just luff up and stuff the sail into the pack.

[JSailer]

I ran into the same problem on a friend's boat recently. The halyard block at the top of the mast was worn. The sheave was barely turning and caused a lot of friction, preventing the mainsail from coming down easily.
We replaced it with a new block and now the sail comes down in seconds like it's supposed too.
Lubing the mast groove will certainly help even more but since you said you had the issue with your jib also, I would take a look at those blocks up there.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by bshipp

A couple of other suggestions for the main...

Someone makes a polymer sail track insert which, along with stainless slides, works great. I got mine from Doyle Sails but I bet any loft can do them.

Believe this is a Tides Marine Strong Track.

You might consider lazy jacks. They make getting down the main much easier... or at least keep it fairly neat on the way down. I went the next step and got Doyle to install a system they call "stack pack" but that I've renamed "Luff 'n Stuff." Basically the system eliminates independent sail covers and attaches a permanent set of covers to the lazy jacks and to the sail, creating a bag that the sail falls into. No sail ties, no sail covers -- just luff up and stuff the sail into the pack.

Lazy jacks are pretty easy to rig up and relatively inexpensive as options go.

[Tempest]

The polymer sail track should help the main. You still have to deal with the headsail which requires going forward.

The most inexpensive solution is a bungy cord.

Have the engine running, and keep it in neutral, then heave-to. Use the bungy cord to keep the tiller over to Leeward
Ease the mainsail out and then you can go forward and lower IT. Once the main is down and secured, you can then go forward with the jib halyard in hand and lower the jib. Since it's already backed, it should come down on deck with your help. Tie the jib to the bow pulpit or a lifeline with a sailtie, and then go back to the cockpit undo the bungy and put the engine in gear and off you go.

[hellosailor]

Another voice in the chorus:
Clean the tracks, add downhauls if needed, and use McLube instead of WD40. WD40 is mainly kerosene, it may clean well but it is crap as a lubricant. LcLube consists of DuPont Krytox--a damned expensive descendant of Teflon--diluted in a white paraffin carrier. That keeps the cost down to merely shocking levels. But the stuff is a great lubricant and well worth the price, especially if you clean the tracks before using it. It also won't stain sails or cloths, since it is white wax and a non-staining lubricant. There are similar products sold in bicycle shops for bike chains, for the same reason. Nothing else similar on the general market though.

It also helps to run a few zig-zag lines from the bow pulpit to the toerails, so that when you drop the jib it can't slip overboard.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Tempest

The most inexpensive solution is a bungy cord.
--- then heave-to. Use the bungy cord to keep the tiller over to windward.

I think you mean tiller to leeward.

[sailguy40]

Awesome tips and advice in here, thanks a lot guys! I am looking to get some McLube SailKote for starters. Then I may try some of the other things mentioned here.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by FSMike

I think you mean tiller to leeward.

Indeed I did Mike, Thanks.. ( I made the edit.)

[zAr]

Originally Posted by sailguy40

So no matter how much I losen my halyards those darn sails will not drop down, I end up just pointing directly in the wind and trying to wait until it inches its way down.

Are you close hauled before you start bringing the main down? Also, are you tightening the topping lift (if you have one) and loosening the boom vang (also if you have one) and mainsheet beforehand? You probably are...ya never know so thought I'd ask.

Also, about that tiller tamer...it occurs to me that once the jib is down and mainsail is luffing you've got no forward movement (unless you have momentum) and so the rudder doesn't work anyway (unless there's current passing over it). At that point it's your mast, rigging and freeboard that are catching the wind and pushing you around.

On my own boat I always go forward to bring down the main, it always needs a little help, but I make sure I have lots of sea room and negligible lee shore so I never thought it was a big deal. The comment here about using the reefing lines to assist - dang, never thought of that before!