H23.5 ....sail slides on main found

[Hawk4661]

I was walking around my boat checking everything at the boat ramp before starting home.I found on the ground a plastic slide.I looked at the main and found the point where the slide had broken off.
The plastic loop, that was swen into the batten loop, had broken, and hung loose in the fabric loop swen to batten.
My novice question is this..can I sail this coming Tuesday before replacing the slide.I dont have any sail slides on board,or immediate access to any.
I was thinking I could possible put the two pieces of slide back into the swen fabric batten loop.Then take some super glue and rejoin the two pieces....will that work in a quick fix, while waiting to recieve order for new slides?

Question two..I have had to loosen my forestay turnbuckle several turns to be able to connect the pin to hole anchor plate. It still uses most of my strength to place pin in hole even after I have loosened forestay.
What you guys offer is greatly appreciated.Ill be a sailor one day with your help...txs in advance..mark<><

 

[Capn Ellis]

Unless high wind puts a large load on the sail, you'll be fine. I've sailed with a broken slide with no consequences. No glue. Wait and repair correctly.
The slide probably broke because of UV exposure. If it were I, I'd replace all the slides this winter. If you carefully remove the stiching, you can reuse the cloth sail tape. I've done this myself. Be aware that these slides come in different sizes (but all look similar at first glance).

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

Mark:
I had a slug/slide break this year and tried to glue it. That only lasted a couple of sails and it was broken again.
That was about mid-season and I made it through the balance of the season with the broken slug/slide (on the bottom batten pocket).
Capn Ellis' advise is good - just want to add that you'll probably find a number in the flat portion of the slug, which will help you get the proper replacements.
Paul

 

[George H260]

Re: Slugs. I agree - swap them all out or just make sure you have plenty on hand as they become brittle over time. It will be ugly, but you can sail OK with a broken slug.

Re the forstay tension. Lengthening the forestay could change side stay tension and mast rake. The usual way to determine the correct forestay tension is to measure your side stay tension. This is usually done with a Loos Gage. Ask around, you may have a friend that has one and can show you how to use it.

Your boat has a version of the B & R rig. The side stay tension is usually less than 20 percent of the maximum breaking strength of the shroud. Absent a way to measure the side stay tension, as long as you have no slack leeward side stays you'll probably be OK.

If you want to get a general idea about tuning the B & R rig go to this link: Go to: http://h260.com/rigging/rigging.html This information is for the H260 but some of it could apply to your situation.

Caution: Adjusting forestay tension can affect mast rake and negatively alter the way the boat sails. I did not see rig tuning instructions in the H23.5 manual on Jim Seamans website, so I'd check with Hunter on this. On the H260 which has a similar rig, mast rake is about 6".

 

[VT Fitz]

Two suggestions for Ques #2

1) You can obtain that special quick release lever that was mentioned in one of your earlier threads. The whole beauty of this hardware for us trailer-sailors is you can easily obtain the extra length you need without having to mess with the trim length of the forestay. Here's a link to it again:

http://www.csjohnson.com/marinecatalog/00027.htm

2) As an alternative to spending the cash for the lever, you can reexamine your procedure for stepping the mast. I find the most critical part for success at the end of this operation -- getting the forestay pinned & secured -- is dependent on the very first part of the operation. I always be sure to extend fully the tackle (the main sheet) & take up all the slack I can on the jib halyard before tying off the halyard. More than once I found I had completely hauled in on the main sheet hardware and still didn't have enough slack to pin the forestay. I had to lower the mast & start again ! (If it's unclear what I'm writing here, please feel free to call).

 

[Hawk4661]

Re: Two suggestions for Ques #2

Hi Keven...thanks for input.I believe you may have hit on something here.If I were able to pull more slack up with my main sheet then pin to foestay may be easier.
Question;.... is can I pull to hard on the main sheet to rake the mast forward? To allow me to pin forestay.
I have been taking up all the slack on the jib halyard ,and releasing the main sheet as far as it wel let me.
I'll call hunter about getting me a quick release when I order the new set of skides.Is there any replacment sides that are better than other.Or maybe metal slides?
Are slugs the same thing as sildes.....? Txs for help bro.

 

[Hawk4661]

Hey George...txs for input bro.I do believe that there is a gauge in our Power Squardon.I seen it during class one day but have never seen anyone use it on the shrouds.
Im going to sail Wed if weather stays nice.5 kt wind forcast.I can only think of about one million things I want to try with the great input I have been recieving..lol txs again

 

[Hawk4661]

Hi Paul...Ill look for the number on the slide.Txs for the heads up.The little things mentioned often are the most often needed..lol
My first singled handed day is not far off now.Im excited an anxious at the same time.Txs again .mark<><

 

[Hawk4661]

Hey txs mate...Have you sailed the ICW much Its one of the great dreams I have.I need a little more sailing first then Illbe on ICW Va to aouth ASAP....lol
Txs again bro..mark<><

 

[VT Fitz]

Rig Stress & Sail Slides

... can I pull to hard on the main sheet to rake the mast forward? To allow me to pin forestay...

I'll call hunter about getting me a quick release when I order the new set of slides.Is there any replacement slides that are better than other.Or maybe metal slides?

Are slugs the same thing as slides.....? Txs for help bro.

I do not believe you will be able to pull hard enough to do any damage, but don't take that as a challenge! Obviously, you don't want to stress your rig too much, but I have done no harm using this technique.

Let me also suggest that I'll often step on the main sheet slack to help crank it down. I hold the line with a loop hanging down about a foot off the deck, then put my foot on the loop to use my body weight to haul in when it gets harder. (Does that make sense???)

Slides & slugs are the same thing. They only make plastic, as far as I know, because they slide much better & won't damage the slot.

The quick release lever is not a Hunter piece of hardware, so it may not be available from them. It may be available through the chandlery on this site, and I certainly urge you to look there, but you may also get it through the link I provided. I'm sure a google will also get you to vendors.

Always happy to help!

 

[BrianW]

Sail Slug Source

Mark, attached is a link for Sailrite, a very good supplier of lots of sail needs, including sail slugs. At the home page, click on the "Sail Hardware" link and look for slugs and shackles. The shackles attach to the sail . The slug attaches to the shackle and then slides into the mast sail slot. As others have said, replace all of your slugs (and shackles) and buy another set for spares. They are not very expensive at Sailrite. One good accidental jibe can do a number on multiple slugs or shackles. Also, West Marine has them if you want them quicker and have the extra coins. I also suggest buying an extra sail stop, the knurled nut gizmo that keeps the slugs from falling out of the bottom of the sail slot. You WILL drop the one you have into the water eventually:bang:. BrianW

http://www.sailrite.com/

 

[Rick Macdonald]

Question #2. If I understand your problem, the trick is described in the manual. When raising the mast, the gin pole is inserted into the hole in the front of the mast such that it is pointing straight up. You hook up the jib halyard and mainsheet and start hauling. The trick is to angle the gin pole so it is leaning aft. The manual might say 10 degrees or something. If you don't do this, the two mainsheet blocks will be touching before you have enough tension pulling the mast forward.

Even with the above, I still have to back off the turnbuckle on my forstay all the way in order to pin it to the plate, but at least it can be done easily.

Don't forget cotter pins on the turnbuckle!

 

[Hawk4661]

Sail storgage or cleaning..?

Hey guys...I have left both sails aboard at the time being.Winterized boat until weather warms or I head south to warm weather...lol

Question ; should I send the sails off to be cleaned ect..... and cost.If some one knows it would help.
Or can I just leave the main on the boom/ with battens in sail, and the jib
shaken out below?
Any ideas there all good guys and gals...mark<><

Question #2..is there gal sailor here too.lol?