Main Sail is hard to raise, and hard to drop. What Might be the problem. I have spoken to several others of 26.5 and they say they can just hoist their sail right up. I have to use a winch to actually pull it up. I was told this is a "no-no". Can anyone offer some insight into my problem , before I end up tearing my main sail. Thanks, Sonny & Vanessa Sticker
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Raise Mainsail
Not sure this is your problem but in the past when I had trouble getting the main up it was because I did not head up into the wind and slacken one or more of the following: mainsheet, vang, traveler and reef line. Also, it helps to use a silicon lubricant on your track and slugs. When I do the above my main goes up easily and drops like a rock. If you have to use the winch to raise the main something is obviously wrong (sometimes when undersail I do use the winch to take the winkles out).
Not sure this is your problem but in the past when I had trouble getting the main up it was because I did not head up into the wind and slacken one or more of the following: mainsheet, vang, traveler and reef line. Also, it helps to use a silicon lubricant on your track and slugs. When I do the above my main goes up easily and drops like a rock. If you have to use the winch to raise the main something is obviously wrong (sometimes when undersail I do use the winch to take the winkles out).
First thing......
......make sure the luff grove is clean. A rag dipped in any solvent and run up the grove should clean it. NEVER use a lubricant on the mast grove. Bees wax or a candle will do a good job. Next check the sheeves at the masthead. While hanging from the shackle end, try pulling the other end and see how much resistance you feel. If it moves effortlessly then the sheeve is OK. However, if it is resistant, it needs to be replaced. And as George suggests, while raising your main, point the boat head to wind with the mainsheet released. My mast is 55' and I never use a winch to raise the main. When released, the main falls to the deck.
......make sure the luff grove is clean. A rag dipped in any solvent and run up the grove should clean it. NEVER use a lubricant on the mast grove. Bees wax or a candle will do a good job. Next check the sheeves at the masthead. While hanging from the shackle end, try pulling the other end and see how much resistance you feel. If it moves effortlessly then the sheeve is OK. However, if it is resistant, it needs to be replaced. And as George suggests, while raising your main, point the boat head to wind with the mainsheet released. My mast is 55' and I never use a winch to raise the main. When released, the main falls to the deck.
Thank You So Much
Thanks for your great advice, I will try all of these things. I was wondering why I was having so much trouble , getting the main up or down. When you say, just hanging by the shackle, I assume you mean, diconnecting the main from the main halyard and running it up and down? Thank you both for your excellent advice. Sonny & Vanessa Sticker
Thanks for your great advice, I will try all of these things. I was wondering why I was having so much trouble , getting the main up or down. When you say, just hanging by the shackle, I assume you mean, diconnecting the main from the main halyard and running it up and down? Thank you both for your excellent advice. Sonny & Vanessa Sticker
Don't lose the halyard
Make sure you tie a line to the halyard so that you can pull it back down after you clean the track!
Make sure you tie a line to the halyard so that you can pull it back down after you clean the track!
Yes to Silicone
Don't spend a lot of money at West Marine for "Special" silicone spray. You can get silicone spray at any auto parts store and I think I even saw it at Wal-Mart. I spray my slugs a couple times a season and it works like a dream. I was told about silicone by a seasoned sailor. Silicone is a lot safer than WD-40 because it has no petroleum distillates which could cause a breakdown of sail resins and plastic parts.
Don't spend a lot of money at West Marine for "Special" silicone spray. You can get silicone spray at any auto parts store and I think I even saw it at Wal-Mart. I spray my slugs a couple times a season and it works like a dream. I was told about silicone by a seasoned sailor. Silicone is a lot safer than WD-40 because it has no petroleum distillates which could cause a breakdown of sail resins and plastic parts.
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