Plastic Sail Slides

[IslandDreamer]

New member, first post. First sailboat.
Just purchase a 1983 Catalina 25. Took her out for the first sail today. About 2 hours in, on a close hauled port tack POW seven of the ten plastic sail glides busted. Wind was only about 16 knots. Obviously the main sail came completely loose from the mast except for the main halyard line and the bottom three glides. Is this a common problem on older boats?

 

[GeorgiaBII]

Plastic gets old and brittle.... I replaced all of mine as soon as I bought the boat. They are not expensive.

 

[sinnettc]

If the chandlery here doesn't have replacements try SailRite or Catalina Direct

 

[hewebb]

I found some from West Marine that were encapsulated stainless steel that I put on the top few.

 

[IslandDreamer]

Found some at Catalina direct. Ordered the stainless ones. They are only about $4.50 each. Thanks for the help.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

That is outrageous for a price for plastic slides. I know that West Marine has a similar price on them too. You need to find a good, respectable chandlery that charges less for such simple items.

 

[IslandDreamer]

Bill, the plastic ones were only $1.49. The ones I purchased were stainless.

 

[Joe Diver]

Congrats on the new boat!

Come on over to the Catalina 25 Association and introduce yourself....great bunch of guys and a wealth of information about your boat. Got a question, problem, issue, or just need advice? This place has "been there, done that" in spades.

The plastic sail slugs wear out...get old and brittle....and are designed to be easily replaceable.

When I first got my boat, I could raise the main easily until about 2/3 up, then it was more difficult and required the winch. A couple slugs broke and looked very worn...deeply grooved.

I used some Sailkote on the channel and replaced al of my slugs. I was very surprised just how old and worn the originals were...the new ones being very slick and good sized. I bought a few extra for spares.

What a difference it made! I can now easily raise my main all the way to the top with little effort and no need for the winch. I can even tension the luff with a strong tug. It drops all by itself very quickly.

That was such a huge difference, and cheap solution, that I'll replace my slugs every couple of years just to keep nice fresh, strong ones on the sail.