We were having very frustrating problems raising the mainsail and broke some clips and sliders trying to do so several weeks ago. We got the broken parts replaced and have sailed it twice since. Per advice given in this forum, we loosened the vang and the main sheet and made sure there was plenty of slack in the reef lines, sprayed the track and sliders with silicon and the main went up fairly easily on the high-speed winch. Still not as easy as a Catalina or Ericksen, but not bad considering. Apparently we were putting to much tension on the leech and it was creating too much pressure on the sliders. Thanks to everyone for their advice! For those who are wondering, the sound of my head banging against the mast would sound like a church bell ringing if it weren't for the stream of profanity mixed with it. Incidentally, last Saturday (the 26th) there were two tall ships out sailing around San Diego bay - very beautiful and majestic looking. Later in the day they had a mock battle and fired their cannons at each other. It was quite a sight! Mark