Have a 1993 23.5 seem to have problems getting the main sail raised all the way. Have annoying wrinkle in sail. Is my sail blown out? I sail single handed most the time. Makes it hard to keep the boat into the wind long enough to keep the sail flapping. Any suggestions I have sprayed some lubricant on the sail slides. Last time out had to reef so don't know if the lube is working just yet. Is there anything wrong with sailing with a reef main only the wind was gusting at 20 and Im still a rookie..Is it unsafe are unhealthy for the boat? Thanks forum...
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Clayton
How are you attaching the halyard at the head?
Louis, How are you attaching the halyard at the head of the sail? My buddy was having the same problem last year. His problem ended up being the HUGE bowline he was tying at the headboard. The knot was jamming into the upper block and not letting the sail go all the way to the top. If that is not it, look at the bolt rope on the luff. On some older sails, like mine, the bolt rope shrinks and will not allow the luff to be pulled tight. I took mine to a sailmaker and he un-stitched the bolt rope near the tack and we stretched the luff and he then re-stitched the bolt rope where it ended up. The end of the bolt rope is now about 4 inches above where it used to be, but I can now at least shape the sail. In my case, the sail in question is a backup sail as it is pretty well bagged / worn out. Sure works good as a backup and it also works well in really light air. Regards, Clayton
Louis, How are you attaching the halyard at the head of the sail? My buddy was having the same problem last year. His problem ended up being the HUGE bowline he was tying at the headboard. The knot was jamming into the upper block and not letting the sail go all the way to the top. If that is not it, look at the bolt rope on the luff. On some older sails, like mine, the bolt rope shrinks and will not allow the luff to be pulled tight. I took mine to a sailmaker and he un-stitched the bolt rope near the tack and we stretched the luff and he then re-stitched the bolt rope where it ended up. The end of the bolt rope is now about 4 inches above where it used to be, but I can now at least shape the sail. In my case, the sail in question is a backup sail as it is pretty well bagged / worn out. Sure works good as a backup and it also works well in really light air. Regards, Clayton
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Bob Noble
I've had the same trouble with my 23.5
I had trouble heading into the wind to raise the main on my 23.5, until I got advice from others. Try motoring into the wind and get a tiller tamer. With the tiller “locked” and the motor set low enough to give me steering the main flutters straight back. I’ve also heard putting beeswax above the first lug spreads wax up the track. Bob Noble “Miss Lisa” Beaver Lake, Nebraska
I had trouble heading into the wind to raise the main on my 23.5, until I got advice from others. Try motoring into the wind and get a tiller tamer. With the tiller “locked” and the motor set low enough to give me steering the main flutters straight back. I’ve also heard putting beeswax above the first lug spreads wax up the track. Bob Noble “Miss Lisa” Beaver Lake, Nebraska
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Frank Ladd
More Tips
Must 23.5 are about 10 years old and the sail slides are made of plastic. I ordered new slides and plastic shackles for my sail from sailrite.com and cleaned and lubed the track. Larger slides may be an option that help the sail bind less on the way up. I think my sail came with 3/8ths inch slides and I think 1/2 inch slides will fit fine and bind less. That made it much easier to raise. Part of the price you pay for having a fully battened main is that it is harder to raise and lower. I wind hevier than 10 or 15 knots you are right to reef the sail before you leave the dock. The 23.5 is a great light wind boat, but if you don't reef by 15 knots you'll just sail slower because you are healing too much and putting the big fat side belly in the water to slow you down.
Must 23.5 are about 10 years old and the sail slides are made of plastic. I ordered new slides and plastic shackles for my sail from sailrite.com and cleaned and lubed the track. Larger slides may be an option that help the sail bind less on the way up. I think my sail came with 3/8ths inch slides and I think 1/2 inch slides will fit fine and bind less. That made it much easier to raise. Part of the price you pay for having a fully battened main is that it is harder to raise and lower. I wind hevier than 10 or 15 knots you are right to reef the sail before you leave the dock. The 23.5 is a great light wind boat, but if you don't reef by 15 knots you'll just sail slower because you are healing too much and putting the big fat side belly in the water to slow you down.
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Jonathan Costello
main sheeve
I agree with Frank on reefing. Before I bought my 23.5 I was speeking with another 23.5 owner. I'll always remember his words of wisdom, "If the winds get to 15 knots, reef." You are much better off reefing early especially if you are doing a lot of single handing. The boat handles so much better reefed. Drop your mast and lubricate the sheeves at the top of the mast. Your sheeve may be dry or worn out. You probably already know this but only use spray silicone to lubricate. It won't harm plastic and dirt dosen't stick to silicone spray like some petroleum based lubricants. You can get it at any auto parts store. It'll do the same thing as the expensive Harken spray.
I agree with Frank on reefing. Before I bought my 23.5 I was speeking with another 23.5 owner. I'll always remember his words of wisdom, "If the winds get to 15 knots, reef." You are much better off reefing early especially if you are doing a lot of single handing. The boat handles so much better reefed. Drop your mast and lubricate the sheeves at the top of the mast. Your sheeve may be dry or worn out. You probably already know this but only use spray silicone to lubricate. It won't harm plastic and dirt dosen't stick to silicone spray like some petroleum based lubricants. You can get it at any auto parts store. It'll do the same thing as the expensive Harken spray.
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Bill O'Donovan
More tips II
1. Motor slightly while into the wind. 2. Be sure the main is loose at traveler. 3. Be sure the boom vang is loose. 4. Be sure the reefing lines are free. 5. If it jams, stop. Do not tug harder. 6. Get to 90% up, fine to crank the rest.
1. Motor slightly while into the wind. 2. Be sure the main is loose at traveler. 3. Be sure the boom vang is loose. 4. Be sure the reefing lines are free. 5. If it jams, stop. Do not tug harder. 6. Get to 90% up, fine to crank the rest.
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Rob McLaughlin
Bolt Rope
I had a similar problem with my 26 when I bought it (used). No matter how tight I made the halyard, the sail was still wrinkled near the tack along the mast. I took it to a sailmaker, and it turned out that the bolt rope was too tight. It may have shrunk, or may have been sewn in wrong to begin with. This rope is sewn into the forward edge of the main, parallel to the mast (when its raised). To lengthen it, they had to pull out the thread and re-sew it. Does this sound like what you're seeing?
I had a similar problem with my 26 when I bought it (used). No matter how tight I made the halyard, the sail was still wrinkled near the tack along the mast. I took it to a sailmaker, and it turned out that the bolt rope was too tight. It may have shrunk, or may have been sewn in wrong to begin with. This rope is sewn into the forward edge of the main, parallel to the mast (when its raised). To lengthen it, they had to pull out the thread and re-sew it. Does this sound like what you're seeing?
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river9150
Candle
Try a candle, unlit of course. Get a candle a little larger than the size of the track. Place the candle on the first slide and pull the sail up. However, I think your problem is the bolt rope.
Try a candle, unlit of course. Get a candle a little larger than the size of the track. Place the candle on the first slide and pull the sail up. However, I think your problem is the bolt rope.
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