Sail Slugs & Reefing

[Shaun]

Hi All,
Had a hard time yesterday raising the mainsail, the plastic slugs kept getting caught in the track & i had to lower & raise it in small stages, requiring a fair bit of force sometimes. The sail hasnt been used for a while , would that be the problem?, or do i need to get some sort of slug lubricant?
The Mclube Sailkote stuff is $25 a can , anyone used it?
any cheaper ideas?

Also over on www.trailersalierplace.com.au (great site), they were discussing reefing & some where saying the slab reefing points in the middle of the sail, should be tied only around the actual sail only, & not around the boom. I'd never thought of that, had always tied them around the boom, & was wondering what others here do?

cheers
Shaun

[storm petrel]

Hi Shaun,

I would try rubbing a bit of candle wax (just get a candle a slide it along the track) on the slot first. You can get pretty high up standing on the boom. Worth a try if it saves some dollars.

cheers,
Mark

[azzura]

Hi Shaun

Whitworths have a Ronstan spray can of dry lube which works well buts its expensive .I've found normal silicon spray (about $10 ) works well on all fittngs ,blocks and sprayed on the winches regulalry .Its also good for jam cleats ,bow rollers, drawer slides, galley door hinges and locks etc etc ,

Sprayed on the slugs and as far up the mast slot as you can reach and the main just sails (pardon the pun ) straight up each time


Cheers

Mark
"Azzura "

[Miker]

Agreed. I use Sailslip or similar. It's a clear silicone spray and makes everything slide along nicely.

Especially good if you are sailing solo.

Michael

[Dolphin]

Hi Shaun,
I have used Inox on the sail sildes. Seems ok.
I replaced some slugs not long ago and found that at Bias there are 2 that are very close in size. The smaller one fits easily and the other does jam.
Re the reefing lines, yes it is important to tie them ONLY around the sail, not the boom. If you tie the reefing lines around the boom and the clew reefing slips it will tear the guts out of the sail.
Hope that helps.
Greg.

[karl010203]

Hey Shaun

Haven't had the problem - other than forgetting to back off the mainsheet sometimes which makes the main halyard a bit hard.

Careful with the amount of lube you use - a mate of mine used a sail lube but way too much of it and it ended up staining his luff as it lifted some gunk out of the track onto his luff...

I think the solution is more sailing to ensure it all remains in good working order! Sure bets working.