I single handle a lot and since I got new sails, then do not seem to collapse as easily and quickly as the old ones did. Has anyone used a line attached to the head of the sail to assist in lowering? I have deck organizer at the foot of the mast that I could run the line through. Thanks Jim
Main Sail lowering aid
- Thread starter Jim W23131
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Getting the main...
...down. I bought a new main for my H28.5 last year and experienced some of the same things you describe trying to get it down. I was going to try running a line to the head of the sail to use in pulling it down, but have not really needed to. As a single handler like you, I have found the key in getting my main down is keeping the boat dead into the wind, not always easy when alone. In my case, I usually center the traveler, slowly turn the boat into the wind, run the engine to keep it there using the wheel brake,and then quickly drop the main, pulling it down while standing in front of the mast. If the boat falls off the wind, I sometimes have to stop and steer it back upwind to get the remainder down. You'll find this gets easier as the initial stiffness of the sail wears a bit. Also,make sure your slides/slugs are the correct size and have no burrs. And lube the mainsail track if you can. Hope this helps.
...down. I bought a new main for my H28.5 last year and experienced some of the same things you describe trying to get it down. I was going to try running a line to the head of the sail to use in pulling it down, but have not really needed to. As a single handler like you, I have found the key in getting my main down is keeping the boat dead into the wind, not always easy when alone. In my case, I usually center the traveler, slowly turn the boat into the wind, run the engine to keep it there using the wheel brake,and then quickly drop the main, pulling it down while standing in front of the mast. If the boat falls off the wind, I sometimes have to stop and steer it back upwind to get the remainder down. You'll find this gets easier as the initial stiffness of the sail wears a bit. Also,make sure your slides/slugs are the correct size and have no burrs. And lube the mainsail track if you can. Hope this helps.
Ideas
1. Use a West System syringe to inject 2 oz. of Dawn diswashing soap into the track before hoisting. Works well coming down too. 2. Always steer upwind when dropping the main. 3. Turn the engine on to enusure downwind direction. 4. Tighten the downhaul just before you drop. 5. Get out of the way of falling battens!
1. Use a West System syringe to inject 2 oz. of Dawn diswashing soap into the track before hoisting. Works well coming down too. 2. Always steer upwind when dropping the main. 3. Turn the engine on to enusure downwind direction. 4. Tighten the downhaul just before you drop. 5. Get out of the way of falling battens!
Silicone Spray
With your main down, spray both sides of the slugs with silicone spray lubricant. Not only will it help with the sail coming down, it will make hoisting the main easier as well. Silicone is a clean lubricant that will not attract dirt. Don't spend the money buying Harken brand at West Marine, go to an auto parts store and buy a can. Spray it a few times a year and that should do the trick.
With your main down, spray both sides of the slugs with silicone spray lubricant. Not only will it help with the sail coming down, it will make hoisting the main easier as well. Silicone is a clean lubricant that will not attract dirt. Don't spend the money buying Harken brand at West Marine, go to an auto parts store and buy a can. Spray it a few times a year and that should do the trick.
Downhaul
Spray lubes are good but I have found that a downhaul works better for me. I single hand most of the time and don't like having to leave the cockpit to pull the main down if it doesn't come down on its own. I have a small line attached to the topmost slug to the mast base then to the cockpit. This seems to work better in my case than attaching to the sail head.
Spray lubes are good but I have found that a downhaul works better for me. I single hand most of the time and don't like having to leave the cockpit to pull the main down if it doesn't come down on its own. I have a small line attached to the topmost slug to the mast base then to the cockpit. This seems to work better in my case than attaching to the sail head.
Thanks for input/Mainsail wrap I use now
Thanks for all the help. I lubricated my slugs and that seemed to help, going up and down. I think I will try the line too. I have the hardware already installed on the deck for the line, so why not use it. I also just installed a Mainsail wrap system and it makes wrapping the sail quick and easy. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. see attached link. I also experimented with loosening the topping lift so the boom would lowing into the cockpit allowing easier access to wrap the sail. Not sure if it really helped though.
Thanks for all the help. I lubricated my slugs and that seemed to help, going up and down. I think I will try the line too. I have the hardware already installed on the deck for the line, so why not use it. I also just installed a Mainsail wrap system and it makes wrapping the sail quick and easy. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. see attached link. I also experimented with loosening the topping lift so the boom would lowing into the cockpit allowing easier access to wrap the sail. Not sure if it really helped though.
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