When I try to raise my main sail I've notice that my sail guides 'Slugs' stick, making it hard to raise the main sail. Is there something I can do to make them slide easier....maybe some sort of lubricant? The slugs are not falling out of the mast track so I'm not sure if they are in need of replacement. Any comments or advice would be appreciated. I read the archives, but was unable to locate a similiar problem.
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HI DON, WM CARRIES A DRY SPRAY...
lubricant that I've used on our P42 and it works slick. Of course our mast was unstepped at the time but you can do it with the stick up. Find a piece of dowel that will fit into your mast track with cloth wrapped around it. Attach an eye to each end. Use your halyard to take it to the mast head and a smaller line to bring it back down. Spray the cloth with this dry lubricant and work it up and down the track several times, recharging the cloth as needed. I forget the name of the product. Just ask WM for the dry lubricant in a spray can that is used to lubricate mast tracks. This stuff works wonders. You will be amazed at how easy your slides go up and down after the application. Good luck. Terry
lubricant that I've used on our P42 and it works slick. Of course our mast was unstepped at the time but you can do it with the stick up. Find a piece of dowel that will fit into your mast track with cloth wrapped around it. Attach an eye to each end. Use your halyard to take it to the mast head and a smaller line to bring it back down. Spray the cloth with this dry lubricant and work it up and down the track several times, recharging the cloth as needed. I forget the name of the product. Just ask WM for the dry lubricant in a spray can that is used to lubricate mast tracks. This stuff works wonders. You will be amazed at how easy your slides go up and down after the application. Good luck. Terry
mast lube
West also carries a kit-it's in the sailing hardware area, for $10-15 that includes a slider, applicators, and lube for use with the stick in-I've used it and it works well
West also carries a kit-it's in the sailing hardware area, for $10-15 that includes a slider, applicators, and lube for use with the stick in-I've used it and it works well
Clean it first.
Don: I would first clean the track and the slugs the best you can. The best way is to have someone haul you or someone up the mast and clean the track out. Then spray the entire track with something that DOES NOT attract dirt. I like McLube, but there are probably other products. Then you want to clean the slugs and lube them too. If this does not work, you may want to take your sail to a sailmaker and have them try some Bainbridge slugs that have somethings special in the material to make them slippery (do not know what the slug is actually called).
Don: I would first clean the track and the slugs the best you can. The best way is to have someone haul you or someone up the mast and clean the track out. Then spray the entire track with something that DOES NOT attract dirt. I like McLube, but there are probably other products. Then you want to clean the slugs and lube them too. If this does not work, you may want to take your sail to a sailmaker and have them try some Bainbridge slugs that have somethings special in the material to make them slippery (do not know what the slug is actually called).
No slick needed
1. Be sure you're really into the wind. 2. Be sure you have the right-sized slug.
1. Be sure you're really into the wind. 2. Be sure you have the right-sized slug.
What everyone said and...
...a bar of soap "dry" lubes the track real well. Cleans it when it rains ;^) alan
...a bar of soap "dry" lubes the track real well. Cleans it when it rains ;^) alan
Appreciate the info.
Thanks for the great advice, all the comments made to this 'post' sound useful. Its great to have a place to ask questions and get good advice.
Thanks for the great advice, all the comments made to this 'post' sound useful. Its great to have a place to ask questions and get good advice.
Ok, I'm not too bright.
And this may be obvious to everyone else. But to keep some one else from making the same mistake I did a few years ago. Don't use WD-40 or any other petroleum product. It makes a terrible mess and makes nasty black stains on your sail that don't come out. A silicone lube is best. I believe the product at west Marine is called something like "Sailcoat".
And this may be obvious to everyone else. But to keep some one else from making the same mistake I did a few years ago. Don't use WD-40 or any other petroleum product. It makes a terrible mess and makes nasty black stains on your sail that don't come out. A silicone lube is best. I believe the product at west Marine is called something like "Sailcoat".
Dry Lubricant Worked great
I cleaned the 'slugs', and cleaned the track. Then I applied 'dry lubricant to the 'slugs and the track and it works "great". I can now raise the main sail easily from the cockpit. Also, the sail comes down easier. Really appreciate the advice.
I cleaned the 'slugs', and cleaned the track. Then I applied 'dry lubricant to the 'slugs and the track and it works "great". I can now raise the main sail easily from the cockpit. Also, the sail comes down easier. Really appreciate the advice.
Candle wax.
Don, I used candle wax and improved the raising of the main immensely. I just took an old candle and rubbed it on the slugs. The next time I raised the main it was a breeze.
Don, I used candle wax and improved the raising of the main immensely. I just took an old candle and rubbed it on the slugs. The next time I raised the main it was a breeze.
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