Mainsail removal

Oct 30, 2019
38
Hello,
I was trying to remove my mainsail yesterday so I could change the
reefing system from roller to jiffy reefing, but could not figure out
how to get it off. From what I could see there was no widening in
the slot in the mast to get the sail off. Am I blind or is there
some secret? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Stacey Murphy
 
Oct 31, 2019
53
Stacey,

I took my main off a couple of weeks ago to get the boat ready for its move to Seattle. I basically uncoupled the gooseneck from the mast and slid the sail off the boom's track. I had a friend help me with holding the boom so that I wouldn't snag the sail on anything.

I think you can also unscrew the cap at the other end of the boom where the mainsheet is, and slide the sail out from there.

Steve DeMont
"Erendira"
Vega 2947

stacey94702 stacey94702@... wrote:
Hello,
I was trying to remove my mainsail yesterday so I could change the
reefing system from roller to jiffy reefing, but could not figure out
how to get it off. From what I could see there was no widening in
the slot in the mast to get the sail off. Am I blind or is there
some secret? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Stacey Murphy
 
Feb 6, 2011
253
Stacey:

to remove the mainsail, there is (should be) a small plate on the mast,
next to the track on the starb'd side, about a foot above the boom. It is held in
place with a wing-nut or bolt that, if merely loosened, allows the plate to
slide out of the way and allow the track-cars to be removed from the track.

This is essentially the way it has been on all of the (3) sailboats I have
owned

Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing,

Ed Davis, Vesper, V1868
 
Oct 30, 2019
38
Thanks for the information, although I didn't find
anything fitting that description. There is a plate
in the track with about 4 or 5 phillips screws on each
side of it. I'm going to try removing it, although it
seems a strange and not very convenient way to get
your sail changed. Hopefully I'm not screwing
something up.
Best Regards,
Stacey
 
Oct 31, 2019
53
Stacey,

Yeah, it's kinda funky. I had to take my main off a couple of weeks ago for the move to Seattle. I was going to slide it off the aft part of the boom, but I didn't feel like taking the time to remove the screws off the end of it. So I slid the luff cars off the mast, undid the goose next, and slid it out from there. Didn't you say a few emails ago you were getting it ready to be moved?

Steve
V2947

Stacey Murphy stacey94702@... wrote:
Thanks for the information, although I didn't find
anything fitting that description. There is a plate
in the track with about 4 or 5 phillips screws on each
side of it. I'm going to try removing it, although it
seems a strange and not very convenient way to get
your sail changed. Hopefully I'm not screwing
something up.
Best Regards,
Stacey
 
Oct 30, 2019
38
Stephen,
Yes I asked you about moving a few emails ago, but
that is not happening eminently. I was thinking next
Summer. By the way, what company are you using to
truck your boat?
Stacey
 
Oct 31, 2019
53
Stacey,

The transporter is Dudley Boats (www.dudleyboats.com), 800-426-8120. They're out of Fife, WA. He came highly recommended.

Steve

Stacey Murphy stacey94702@... wrote:
Stephen,
Yes I asked you about moving a few emails ago, but
that is not happening eminently. I was thinking next
Summer. By the way, what company are you using to
truck your boat?
Stacey