main halyard sticks

[LordNelson]

my main does not raise smoothly. i bought new sail slugs and main halyard from d&r marine last year, but it didn't make any difference. the mast head sheave seems to roll fine when i pull some slack halyard line through it.

watching the slugs as i raise the main i wonder if it's the shape of the slugs. the slug has a rectangle shaped stainless rod which attaches to the sail. when raising, it pulls on the slug from the top courner so the slug does not pull quite straight up the slot. any ideas on correcting this problem?

ps. i usually raise the main while on the mooring so i am facing into the wind.

 

[Joe11688]

my main does not raise smoothly. i bought new sail slugs and main halyard from d&r marine last year, but it didn't make any difference. the mast head sheave seems to roll fine when i pull some slack halyard line through it.

watching the slugs as i raise the main i wonder if it's the shape of the slugs. the slug has a rectangle shaped stainless rod which attaches to the sail. when raising, it pulls on the slug from the top courner so the slug does not pull quite straight up the slot. any ideas on correcting this problem?

ps. i usually raise the main while on the mooring so i am facing into the wind.

My sail slugs have been dragging in the slot for quite some time now too. When I let the Main halyard off, that sail should come right down but usually I have to grab the sail and pull it down by hand.:cussing: Then I read somewhere about a good remedy for lubricating the sail slugs without using Silicone lube. Are you ready for this? Ordinary liquid dish washing detergent. So last week while Penny and I were cruising near Newport RI., I thought about it and grabbed my little bottle of Dawn Liquid Detergent and squirted a few drops on top of each of my sail slugs. Man what a difference that made! The sail goes up easy now, and when I let go of the main halyard, that sail comes right down fast. When it rains, the water will mix with the soap in the mast track and wash it out as clean as a whistle. Then I'll add a little more Dawn to the slugs. Give it a try and see what happens. :dance:
Joe

 

[LordNelson]

it sounds exactly like what mine is doing. i will give it a try.

 

[Bikes-n-Boats]

Every year prior to putting the mast up I wax the groove in the mast with paraffin wax ( canning wax ) that you can buy at any grocery store. One box will last years.

Clark

 

[Joe11688]

Every year prior to putting the mast up I wax the groove in the mast with paraffin wax ( canning wax ) that you can buy at any grocery store. One box will last years.

Clark

The wax is good too, Clark. Give the dish washing detergent a try. I applied it last week for the first time, and this week my sail is still dropping completely down fast when I let go of the Main Halyard.
Joe