I have a Hunter 40.5, raising the main, full battened sail, is real work and a slow process. Any suggestions?
Difficult raising the main
- Thread starter Mtn Marriah
- Start date
Tides marine strong track, electric winch and a 2 to 1 advantage on the halyard (Pin the halyard to the crane at the top of the mast, down to a moving block that shackles to the headboard, then up to the top of the mast and around the sheave, then down inside the mast and to the winch.
allan
allan
Has it always been like that? About every two years I use the halyard to run a cleaning cloth up and down the mast track and then have a bracket I made that allows me to run a can of McLube up the track with a lanyard to spray as I go. After that treatment the sail goes up very easily.
Beware of using brute force.
Beware of using brute force.
I would agree with Allan's advice, although I do not use a block for 2:1 advantage. I currently have the Tides Marine Strong track and an electric winch and I find that combo works just fine. I had the electric winch from the start and then added the TM Strong track. The Strong track made a huge difference. The other ideas of lifting the boom and cleaning and lubing the track will also help. I thought of making a device that would clean and lube like JohnB, but I never made one. I would think that action would work pretty well and would be the least expensive idea to try first.
FWIW, I plan to remove my TM Strong Track and install a boom furling system this spring. Watch the gear classifies for my used Strong Track for the 40.5.
The 40.5 has a huge mainsail. I tried raising it manually at the mast base and it is a workout. Electric winches are your friend.
I also have the Strong Track on my 40.5, and can raise the main by hand up to about the last 3 feet then winch up the balance, also keep the topping lift raised (boom end up) till completely raised then release the topping lift, as the others have said the Strong Track makes a huge difference
1/2 Strong Track
From nine years experience with my Vision 32 with a huge full batten main, I knew batten twist was a big issue, causing lots of friction on the track. A few years ago, I changed my batten pockets to fully articulating Strong Track units. I figured I could change to the track later if justified. I never needed to since the difference was substantial. BTW, what I was interested in was dropping the main quickly. Since I have a powered halyard winch, raising the main wasn't that big an issue. A benefit that may not be considered is that it greatly aids reefing also. Other suggestions would be downsizing to 3/8 high tec halyard line, and lubing the track, foot and turning blocks. Of course, always be sure the vang and main sheet are loose and that the clutch is open, but I'm sure you already do that.
From nine years experience with my Vision 32 with a huge full batten main, I knew batten twist was a big issue, causing lots of friction on the track. A few years ago, I changed my batten pockets to fully articulating Strong Track units. I figured I could change to the track later if justified. I never needed to since the difference was substantial. BTW, what I was interested in was dropping the main quickly. Since I have a powered halyard winch, raising the main wasn't that big an issue. A benefit that may not be considered is that it greatly aids reefing also. Other suggestions would be downsizing to 3/8 high tec halyard line, and lubing the track, foot and turning blocks. Of course, always be sure the vang and main sheet are loose and that the clutch is open, but I'm sure you already do that.
You dont say why its a pain... is it too heavy, or does the battans hang up on the spreaders... or is the slugs not sliding in the track.... or does it use a bolt rope instead of slugs?...
Are you hoisting buy hand, or are you using a winch?....
If its a pain to hoist, how does it come down... is it tough to douse the sail also?...
So many questions that could be answered to help you get to the real issue your having...
Main Sail
Over the years I have found that cleaning the mast track and then applying a spray dry lube to both the slugs and the track make a big difference. After I do this procedure I can raise the main by hand to about three feet from the head and the winch does it the last bit. When I release the main, it drops like a rock.
Over the years I have found that cleaning the mast track and then applying a spray dry lube to both the slugs and the track make a big difference. After I do this procedure I can raise the main by hand to about three feet from the head and the winch does it the last bit. When I release the main, it drops like a rock.
Try jamming a wax candle above the top slug when raising you main the next time. The candle will be stuck at the top but fall out when the weather warms up a bit. If this does not work, look at the strong track system that Sailcare.com has in their catalog.
Same as all above.. I lube the track and slugs with sailkote every year. Loose the main sheet, raise the boom, when main is up to reefing size, help by loosing the reefing lines (biggest drag of the main for me) and or pulling them by hand from the aft end of the boom before raising the main. (I do not have blocks on the clew of the reefing points)
I had a problem with my main the first year to the point of looking for a track system. But I found that one of the plastic slugs had gotten clocked in the track and that was the problem.
Since then I spray the slides with Sail Kote a few times a year and can get the main on my 410 up without much of a problem. I do try to be sure it is luffing prior, but even my fat out of shape body doesn't find it enough of a "problem" to spend any time other that spraying the lube on the slugs once in a while. I did have a Tides system on my last 39' boat, it didn't go up all that much easier but did drop a lot faster.
I just don't really understand not being to crank up a sail on a 40' boat being a problem unless you are in your 80s of something.
One thing that does make it easier, don't pull your reefing lines in when the sail is down. Just fold them up and tuck under the sail cover so these aren't having to pull back out while raising the sail.
Since then I spray the slides with Sail Kote a few times a year and can get the main on my 410 up without much of a problem. I do try to be sure it is luffing prior, but even my fat out of shape body doesn't find it enough of a "problem" to spend any time other that spraying the lube on the slugs once in a while. I did have a Tides system on my last 39' boat, it didn't go up all that much easier but did drop a lot faster.
I just don't really understand not being to crank up a sail on a 40' boat being a problem unless you are in your 80s of something.
One thing that does make it easier, don't pull your reefing lines in when the sail is down. Just fold them up and tuck under the sail cover so these aren't having to pull back out while raising the sail.
Not an uncommon occurance. Makes you wonder why someone asks a question and why anyone bothers to respond. Hopefully, most people are courteous enough in real life to thank someone who tries to help.