H170 main sail slugs

[heliBartek]

Hi all - during the first sail on my new (05') 170 I noticed that rising of the main can be bit of a pain as the slugs appear to jam form time to time on their way up. I always raise the sail while motoring into the wind.
The main area of problem seems to be the last foot or so of travel before the main is all the way up. I’ve noticed that the angle at which halyard passes through pulleys in the mast head near the top forces head of sail slightly forward instead of straight up.
Any ideas how to improve this situation? Any possible mods that can be implemented with respect to the slugs?

BTW great site guys - I've gotten many excellent ideas for improving my 170 most of it from reading the archives.

 

[txjim]

First thing to try is a healthy application of Sailkote, both in the mast and on the slugs. Helped my main but you may have other issues at work.

Available from this site or your nearest marine supply.

 

[john6206]

Is your main sheet cleated?

If you cleat the main with the sail down the boom angle is greater than the angle of the sail, you wont be able to raise it the last foot or so.

Found that out when I first bought my 170.

John

 

[heliBartek]

Good idea with the Sailkote Jim - I've seen that stuff around before but never actually used it.

Thanks for the pointer about the main sheet John - I'll be sure to pay attention to that one the next time I'm out.