Main sail

[CharlieTodd]

I purchased a 1994 Hunter 26 last year, all lines and sheets were replaced when I bought it. I have difficulty raising the mainsail, and have to use the inch to finish the last 5-6 feet. I have owned an O'Day Day Sailor and a Hunter 22, but never had an issue with raising the mainsail by hand. Lowering the sail is no problem. I have replaced the three pulleys on the deck, and the two at the base of the mast turn OK. Is this typical of the 26 to have to winch up the sail, or do I have something else I should check.
Thanks
Charlie

 

[rgranger]

I had trouble with mine when I first got it. Replaced all of the sail slugs and it is now much easier but still a little more resistance than I’d like. This next season I plan to put some of that dry lube in the sail track

 

[Dave Groshong]

The masthead sheaves may be broken. What size of line are you using? 5/16 is strong enough and factory spec, but 3/8 should be OK too; if the line is way oversized it creates a lot of friction and could be the culprit too.
https://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=26&c=6&p=52726

 

[Ron20324]

Is there more than one hole in the headboard to attach the halyard?

 

[nightowle]

Is there more than one hole in the headboard to attach the halyard?

Try the other hole?

 

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[Apex]

forego all the line turns, and step up to the mast and raise by hand there. That cuts your troubleshooting in half....still raising hard? Look to the sail slugs and track first, then sheaves. Going up ok? then look at turning blocks deck organizers and clutches. The amount of friction created in turns within a line is astounding....

 

[Justin_NSA]

Friction is not a friend. Last time my mast was down I scrubbed the slot clean and McLubed it. Sail runs up fine now. You know this I'm sure; make sure you are 100% in to the wind when you hoist it. Probably wasn't as significant with a daysailer as with a larger boat/main.

 

[Ron20324]

Try the other hole?

Yup. I would think a hole farther from the slot will cock the slugs. The more up, the more drags. My 2 cents. Someone ought to have the same boat and comment on this???

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Follow Dave groshong and rgranger as they hit it on the nailhead. A photo sideways with sail up would also help to see if bolt rope needs to be replaced and to check if too much prebend. I’ll look forward to that. The sheave at top of mast may be the culprit. For the record if original mast it is a Z Spar with parts from US Spars which forum store can help you to get

 

[plenny7]

If you can't lube the sail track now, just hit the slugs. That's all it took for my main to get back to being easy to raise and drop.

You might also try using the topping lift to raise the aft end of the boom more so there's less tension on the slugs as they get higher.

 

[Ken Cross]

You should be able to check the masthead sheave. Put one end of the hailyard in each hand and move the line while holding pressure on it. If it moves easily, lube your sail slugs.

Ken

 

[Tally Ho]

Not normal, but as others have said, check the mast sheeve and get some lubricant in the sail track and slides. Works wonders.

Greg

 

[GREGP]

Not normal, but as others have said, check the mast sheeve and get some lubricant in the sail track and slides. Works wonders.

Greg

Try wax worked great for me

 

[garymalmgren]

To hoist the main I go to the mast, heave down on the halyard where it exits the mast, place a wedge in the organizer turning block. Then go back to the cockpit , haul up the last 50 cm and winch tight. The sail has a boltrope and it is OLD. I found that it was getting harder and harder to haul up, so I made up a track cleaner. Pic 1
This is 30cm of (rough) nylon rope with a tether whipped to it. The tether ends just above the rope on one end and extends down about 5 cm or so on the lower end. The main halyard is connected to the short end (Pic 2) and a light downhaul to the other( pic 3). The rope is liberally sprayed with silicone grease then fed into the track.
I hauled up and down a couple of times. Removed it and resprayed and repeated.
It WORKS!!!! The main now glides up. Will work with slugs too. Gary

 

[DrJudyB]

For lubricating mast tracks. I recommend using a dry lube that doesn't contribute to make black, gooey residue. Wax and grease hold dirt and aluminum oxide and pollutants.

My top two recommendations are SailKote and Elmers Slide-All Dry Lube. Sailkote works best, but Elmers Dry Lube lasts longer.

Clean the mast before applying lube to the mast groove. Spray the slides or bolt rope, too

Judy B
Sailmaker