We just bought a 1995 Hunter 26. When taking down the mainsail last weekend, we noticed that the sail slugs (I think that's what they're called) are cracked and one is broken. When we checked some online boating stores, we discovered there are all different sizes. Does anybody know what size is used for a Hunter 26? We're not going to the lake for a few days and hoping to purchase replacements before we go.
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You may need to go to a sail maker!
Carol: You may need to go to a sail maker. There are several sizes of these things. Otherwise you may get lucky with something at the local marine store. You should really have one with you to replace it.
Carol: You may need to go to a sail maker. There are several sizes of these things. Otherwise you may get lucky with something at the local marine store. You should really have one with you to replace it.
Some Options
Here's a few options that might help: 1. The first one would be to contact Hunter Marine parts dept. If they don't have them they might provide a recommended source or give you the name of the manufacturer. 2. West Marine Master Catalog 2002, p. 1038, has several with "nominal" sizes. Go to the store and buy one of each around the size you need and try them in the sail track and see which one works the best. Unless you can get an exact replacement it's a good idea to see how the slug will fit in the track. Even a sailmaker would do this. The track may have more width or depth available than the slugs you're using now which would allow for a different size. If you're handy with things, with the appropriate needle, thread, and palm (p. 1040 WM catalog) you can attach it yourself. I'd be currious why that particular one broke. Is it just below the headboard?
Here's a few options that might help: 1. The first one would be to contact Hunter Marine parts dept. If they don't have them they might provide a recommended source or give you the name of the manufacturer. 2. West Marine Master Catalog 2002, p. 1038, has several with "nominal" sizes. Go to the store and buy one of each around the size you need and try them in the sail track and see which one works the best. Unless you can get an exact replacement it's a good idea to see how the slug will fit in the track. Even a sailmaker would do this. The track may have more width or depth available than the slugs you're using now which would allow for a different size. If you're handy with things, with the appropriate needle, thread, and palm (p. 1040 WM catalog) you can attach it yourself. I'd be currious why that particular one broke. Is it just below the headboard?
Thanks for the helpful hints
Thanks, John! I'm not sure which slug it is, to tell you the truth, but I think it might be the one below the headboard as you suggest. We'll examine them all tomorrow when we're up at the lake. We're bringing an experienced sailor with us tomorrow to help keep us out of trouble!!! Carol
Thanks, John! I'm not sure which slug it is, to tell you the truth, but I think it might be the one below the headboard as you suggest. We'll examine them all tomorrow when we're up at the lake. We're bringing an experienced sailor with us tomorrow to help keep us out of trouble!!! Carol
sail slides
Take the measurements from one of your old slides and go to SailNet.com . Type in "sail slides" in the search window. They will probably have what you need.(along with a photo for comparison)
Take the measurements from one of your old slides and go to SailNet.com . Type in "sail slides" in the search window. They will probably have what you need.(along with a photo for comparison)
Thanks!
Great! Thanks, Mark! We will definitely check out the site. This forum is really helpful to novices like myself. It only confirms what my husband and I have suspected about the sailing community for a long time...an unusual, but GREAT group of people!
Great! Thanks, Mark! We will definitely check out the site. This forum is really helpful to novices like myself. It only confirms what my husband and I have suspected about the sailing community for a long time...an unusual, but GREAT group of people!
"unusual?"
You need to give us a little background when you say "unusual but great". Just for fun.
You need to give us a little background when you say "unusual but great". Just for fun.
In the same process on a 96
Carol, I am in the same process. I talked with Hunter (after finding several sizes). They informed me that mine were supplied with the sails from Doyle (mine is a 96) and that I should check with them. Doyle knew exactly what I was talking about and is putting me in contact with a local Doyle Loft. They are going to give me a few options (I wanted to know what I could do to replace and also what might be the options to make things better). I will try to keep you posted. Bill B
Carol, I am in the same process. I talked with Hunter (after finding several sizes). They informed me that mine were supplied with the sails from Doyle (mine is a 96) and that I should check with them. Doyle knew exactly what I was talking about and is putting me in contact with a local Doyle Loft. They are going to give me a few options (I wanted to know what I could do to replace and also what might be the options to make things better). I will try to keep you posted. Bill B
At least I'm not alone
Bill: Thanks for the update. Please let me know if you have success. Since I last wrote, we replaced all the sail slugs and we've ordered the shackles as well. Hope to have those before we head to the lake. I'll let you know if this works. Carol
Bill: Thanks for the update. Please let me know if you have success. Since I last wrote, we replaced all the sail slugs and we've ordered the shackles as well. Hope to have those before we head to the lake. I'll let you know if this works. Carol
Solution to the sail slides and shackles!
Good news. As novice sailors, we're already learning that "creative solutions" is the name of the game. We replaced all the sail slides with new ones we found in the west marine catalogue (thanks for the suggestion), but the available shackles were too small. So, we went to Lowe's and found some stainless steel shackles that cost $1 each. We put them on and took off. We had a perfect day of sailing! Our reaction was: "Wow! The boat sure sails a lot better when the whole sail is attached to the mast!" Thanks for all your suggestions! Carol
Good news. As novice sailors, we're already learning that "creative solutions" is the name of the game. We replaced all the sail slides with new ones we found in the west marine catalogue (thanks for the suggestion), but the available shackles were too small. So, we went to Lowe's and found some stainless steel shackles that cost $1 each. We put them on and took off. We had a perfect day of sailing! Our reaction was: "Wow! The boat sure sails a lot better when the whole sail is attached to the mast!" Thanks for all your suggestions! Carol
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