slugs catching upon raising main

[sailingdog]

I think it is fairly simple to install. Someone at my friend's marina did it a couple of months ago, while I was there helping step their mast. IIRC correctly, it just slides into the existing track... no real complicated installation issues... from what I saw.

[Jotun]

I have the same problem, though it is not due to dirt or grime in the track. The slugs seem to get pulled at an angle and lock up just above the slot. I've never been out alone, so it's not much of a problem. Someone just goes up to the mast and feeds the slugs up, but I'm not sure I could raise the main alone.

[sailingdog]

Another solution is to get longer slugs. Most tracks can accommodate slightly longer slugs than you may have on your existing sail. The longer slugs tend not to twist as much and don't jam as easily.

[alanl]

Last weekend I usee JohnR's trick of cleaning out the track and was amazed at the difference it made. It was not quite as simple as it sounded, because getting into the track would have meant removing all the slugs first, so I cut the binding off the top slug and resewed it after doing the job

It was not easy to get the cloth patch inside the track but persistence paid off. A local product called "Gumption" comes in a damp paste and by wetting the patch before liberally coating on one side, it was possible to "stick" it to the inside of the groove and still get the slug over it. Some whipping twine kept it in place while being raised and lowered. This was repeated several times with fresh patches, then every slug was coated with "zipper" grease and the main raised. Wow - what a difference!

Thanks John. Also thanks to Sailing Dog for comments about the plastic insert

Regards

AlanL

[sailingdog]

Glad to help.