Mainsail slipping out of the inmast sail hoisting grove

[Vitamin Guy]

To my surprise, and that of the marina technician, the mainsail of my 2008 Hunter 41DS slips out of the main sail hoisting groove. (This is an inmast furling sail). Try as we may the sail will not stay in. The result is a sail that will not stay attached to the mast.

Has anyone had similar experience? If so, what was the source of the problem and what solution worked for you?

 

[Butch23065]

Is this a new sail? Does the sail come out all the way up the mast or just at the bottom?

 

[Vitamin Guy]

Mainsail slipping out - the details

Is this a new sail? Does the sail come out all the way up the mast or just at the bottom?

It is the original sale from Hunter, which is 5 years old now.
The sail came out initially at the height between the two spreaders. Then like a zipper the whole sail came out with just the head staying in the grove.
We re-hoisted the sail with the same results.

 

[Rick486]

It is the original sale from Hunter, which is 5 years old now.
The sail came out initially at the height between the two spreaders. Then like a zipper the whole sail came out with just the head staying in the grove.
We re-hoisted the sail with the same results.

Take it to a sailmaker and have NEW LUFF TAPE SEWED ON. mEASURE YOUR sELDEN MAST SLOT ON THE FURLER AND TELL THE SAILMAKER. tHE TAPES COME IN VARIOUS SIZES. nO BIG DEAL. Sorry. Hit the cps button.
Better yet, call Selden and give them the serial number of your mast and ask them what size the luff tape should be. When you feed it in from the bottom of the furler it must be done slowly and carefully or it can jump out. I have this trouble with my jib more than the main.

 

[seadaddler]

Really

I have never heard of this happening before and I think a 5 year old sail
should not be doing this.
Did it do this out of the blue or was some work done on the sail or removed recently and than reinstalled and than this happen and who makes the sail UK or Doyle or some one else.
My sail is 07 and never had this happen but recently replaced the leech strpping and also some stiching up and down the sail.
Nick

 

[uncledom]

Did you step the mast last winter? I'm just thinking the only way to cause a problem with the mast slot would be to have water freeze in rope slot. Not saying thats what happened. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Scott B]

Either the luff tape in the sail or the groove in the furler. Luff tape is plastic, so either ripped right out? or sail torn. Groove in furler would have to bend enough to allow luff tape to come out, but unlikely?

Pictures would help. My sails are from 2005, with the same season as yours, but still fine.