McVay Victoria 18 gizmo needed and raft recommendations

[karena]

Another question from a newbie Vic owner. What's the name of the gizmo that fits into the mast channel that keeps the white "root beer barrels" on the main sail from dropping out, and keeps the boom from flying up? And where can I buy one?
For raft recommendations, I looking to get a raft that is light enough to toss onto the top of a car, and stable enough that a 140 lb person can stand up in to climb aboard the Vic. I'm keeping her moored on a buoy, not a dock. For previous scows, an inflatable raft worked well, but the Vic deck is higher and I have poor upper body strength.

I am totally enjoying my new-to-me Vic. Today's 12 mph winds, with some good gusts had me smiling and laughing.

 

[SFS]

Root beer barrels = sail slugs
The gizmo that keeps sail slugs from falling out of the mast track (through the part of the track that gets wider) is called a mast gate.

If you have something in the track that stops the sail slugs from coming any lower in the track, that would be a sail stop.

Here is a thread about fabricating a mast gate. The guy that did it, RussC, also owns a Vic 18.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/mast-gate-for-an-m25.179245/&highlight=mast gate

Here is a link to the RigRite catalog page that talks about mast gates and sail stops.
http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/MetalMast_Spars/MetalMast_Mainsail_Gates.php#MM

You should be able to find an inflatable dinghy (if that is what you meant by "raft") on craigslist for not a lot of money. I just sold an old Avon Redcrest for $100.

 

[rgranger]

Unless you are going to leave your sail bent to the boom for long periods of time. A sail stop is probably what you want.

Edit: Sorry, I see you are on a mooring ball.

 

[Tom G P-21]

For climbing into the boat you might want to think about get a boarding step something like the one shown below to be able to step up into the boat.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/doyle-marine--quickstep-boarding-steps--P005_158_001_523?recordNum=26

Here is an example of one in use. There are different ways you could attach it.
http://santosha.info/html/boarding_step.html

 

[RussC]

Or if you're cheep like me you can make one and save $45.00 or so .

 

[Brian S]

"Keeps the boom from flying up."

When the main sail is hoisted, a vang or kicking strap typically pulls down on the boom, to prevent it lifting as the wind blows against the sail, particularly off the wind. It runs roughly 45º between the boom and down to the bottom of the mast above deck level.

If you have a sliding gooseneck which fits the boom into the slot on the mast, then there should be a downhaul line connected to the gooseneck, and cleated below on the mast. This allows you to pull down on the gooseneck, and control luff tension in the sail, which in turn controls the point of maximum draft of the sail. (Pulling down moves draft forward.) Boats with fixed position goosenecks have a line through a cringle on the sail above the tack, which pulls down. This would be a Cunningham. If you have a sliding gooseneck, it's pretty unlikely that the gooseneck would ride up the mast slot, considering weight of the boom etc...

 

[karena]

Thanks Tom, this might do it for me. It looks to be lower than my swim ladder, so I could get onto from my raft. I still think I might need a raft with a rigid bottom.

 

[capta]

I'd go for a quality (Avon/Zodiac) soft bottom inflatable with wooden floorboards. With care you should get many years of good service from one.
Our Zodiac Classic Mark 1 (a lot more boat than you need) lasted almost 10 years of very hard daily use. I can't stress enough that the cheap inflatables are just that, and not worth the money in the long run.