This is a view of my mast(I know I'm not much of a graphist). I would like to know what do you have to block the extended slot on the right side. When I lower the sail the sail slugs fall out making the sail fall loose in the cockpit and forcing me to climb on the cabin top to reengage them to raise the sail again. It is not a problem when I'm not sailing by myself but when I'm alone I would rather just pull the halyard to raise the main sail.
How to prevent mailsail from sliding out off slot
- Thread starter svey
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Sail track stop
Take a look at these. Once the sail cars are above the slot, put this in to prevent the sail from coming out of the track. I've used one for the past 2 years on my O'day 20 and wouldn't sail without it. Helps immensely when singlehanding too.
Take a look at these. Once the sail cars are above the slot, put this in to prevent the sail from coming out of the track. I've used one for the past 2 years on my O'day 20 and wouldn't sail without it. Helps immensely when singlehanding too.
Sail Stops
Thank you for your suggestion, I will check that out today. But a sail stop still has to be removed to lower the sail enough to reinstall the sail cover? Was there something originaly there to close that slot once the sail slug are engaged to prevent them from coming out.
Thank you for your suggestion, I will check that out today. But a sail stop still has to be removed to lower the sail enough to reinstall the sail cover? Was there something originaly there to close that slot once the sail slug are engaged to prevent them from coming out.
I don't know about the sail stops.
And I don't know what the distance is between the screw holes on the right hand side of your picture is, but it seems to me, if the distance is short, 2-3 inches, all you would have to do is get an aluminum strip or plastic or nylon strip and cover part of the extra wide channel to keep the sail slides from exiting the mast slot. A hole on each end of the strip and screw it to the mast.
And I don't know what the distance is between the screw holes on the right hand side of your picture is, but it seems to me, if the distance is short, 2-3 inches, all you would have to do is get an aluminum strip or plastic or nylon strip and cover part of the extra wide channel to keep the sail slides from exiting the mast slot. A hole on each end of the strip and screw it to the mast.
Slot opening size
The slot is 5 1/4" long. I will try putting a strip of aluminum. I think I will try to have the top on a pivot and the bottom held by some elastic string. I was just wondering what was the initial contraption was.
The slot is 5 1/4" long. I will try putting a strip of aluminum. I think I will try to have the top on a pivot and the bottom held by some elastic string. I was just wondering what was the initial contraption was.
Yes, there was
a device to hold in the sail. On mine there is a cotter pin that slides through the upper hole on the right, and into a matching hole on the left. A piece of line is attached to the lower hole and keeps the pin from disappearing. BTW, I don't have to remove the pin to put on the sail cover; I just lift the boom slightly and the cover fits nicely. Brad
a device to hold in the sail. On mine there is a cotter pin that slides through the upper hole on the right, and into a matching hole on the left. A piece of line is attached to the lower hole and keeps the pin from disappearing. BTW, I don't have to remove the pin to put on the sail cover; I just lift the boom slightly and the cover fits nicely. Brad
Gate
Here's an idea. Many masts already have this and you may already have the screw hole or holes drilled and tapped in the mast. Take a look around at other masts and you will probably find an example. This one talks about gates on both sides but I think just one on the right side covering the extended slot is all you need. http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/2358/f_rigging_tips/f07.html
Here's an idea. Many masts already have this and you may already have the screw hole or holes drilled and tapped in the mast. Take a look around at other masts and you will probably find an example. This one talks about gates on both sides but I think just one on the right side covering the extended slot is all you need. http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/2358/f_rigging_tips/f07.html
Cheap Fix
Drill a small hole in eather side of the internal mast track just above the opening (if their not already there). Use a suitable cotter pin, insert it through the holes. It blocks the slugs from reaching the opening and falling out. Add a light cord to the loop in the cotter pin and tie it off to another small single hole drilled below the opening, that way you won't loose the cotter pin.
Drill a small hole in eather side of the internal mast track just above the opening (if their not already there). Use a suitable cotter pin, insert it through the holes. It blocks the slugs from reaching the opening and falling out. Add a light cord to the loop in the cotter pin and tie it off to another small single hole drilled below the opening, that way you won't loose the cotter pin.
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