Phil, My sail questions...

[Gregory Stebbins]

1. Why is the slug attached to the headboard attached with webbing instead of something oh...like steel? I've got steel shackles on all the others.2. When choosing a slug size what is best; biggest that will fit or smallest that will function?3.Slug material - Plastic or nylon?4.I've got an light 150 which came with my boat. It works fine but instead of hanks, it has strips of sail cloth which rap around the fore stay and snap to the sail body. What do you think this sail can take wind speed wise? It's very stiff/thin and holds any shape you pat it into. It works very very well below 3-5 knots where I can manually form the air foil so I want to baby it.5. Can you damage a mainsail while raising it with the winch? You can put a lot of strss on the halyard with a winch. I prefer to raise the sail without the winch and only use the winch to tighten after raising. If i'm unecessarilay babying the main I like to know.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------IMPORTANT! The Hunter Owners Web does not verify opinions, suggestions, recommendations, author identity, competence, repair and maintenance experience, or any other aspect of any information contributed by writers or users of this web site. The information herein is used at your own risk. Response to this article: (Write your own below)

 

[Bill Colombo]

Answers to Sail Questions

Greg, Here are some answers to your questions:1. The sailmaker who built your Main probably used webbing on the headboard slug in order to make sure that the bearing surface of the slug matched the offset of the intermediate slides. Headboards are made with a slot for webbing. Don't worry about strength as webbing is more than strong enough to handle the loads at the head. We like to use webbing on the intermediate slides as well because itn is possible to achieve a tighter more positive connection to the sail. Sometimes shackles can get twisted because they are relatively loose.2. Usually you would want to choose the smallest slug that will not pull out without being sloppy in the groove or track. If the slug is to big it could create additional friction inside the mast groove.3. Often this is not a matter of choice. Nylon slides can be a bit stronger and slide more easily but are not available in all types. 4. The typical wind range of a light #1 is 0-10 knots true wind.5. I doubt you can harm a main by raising it with the winch. Just be aware of any snagging of the luff slides. As with most things, never force something when it binds up. Also in windy conditions, the faster you get the main up and sheeted in the better for the sail. The winch is probably too slow in these "flogging" conditions.Good Sailing, Bill Colombo, Doyle Sails

 

[Gregory Stebbins]

Thanks, Phil/Bill

Phil/Bill,Thanks for the sail answers. It’s sort of a mixed bag. It’s good to find out the old genny is what I thought it was. Down here in Texas a sail like that is useful in the summer.However, Now I need to reduce my slug size from ½ and replace my shackles with webbing. Oh well, first wrong then right again. I even created sail protectors out of Teflon material used to protect flight control surfaces on 747. Sense NOTHING would mark the material and scratches healed within a few seconds, I had a real devil of a time getting it patterned a cut.Greg.