Problems Raising Mainsail

[Doreen]

We have a new Catalina 320. When we raise the mainsail, the bottom 3rd of the slides do not go into the slot on the mast, neccesitating one of us going forward and sliding them in while the other raises the main. Has anyone had a similar experience and if so, how did you solve it?

 

[Gary Clarke]

Mast Gates?????

For years Catalina 22, 25 owners have made a "mast Gate"....nothing more than a small thin piece of stainless or aluminum sheet. Shaped to block the slugs from coming out of the mast, and yet leaving a gap wide enough for the slugs to stil track up and down the mast groove. for pictures and plans how to make a "mast Gate" you need to search the Catalina 25/250 website . Use the search feature, and enter "mast Gates.

 

[rp]

Should have a sail slug stopper

On your mast, just above the slot that you slide in the sail slugs, there should be a screw with a thumbwheel. After you load the sail into the track, the screw is placed just below to hold all the slides in place. This stays on all the time. You shouldn't have to insert the slides everytime you raise the sail. Apparently your dealer didn't put it in. If they can't help, they sell them at West Marine.RP

 

[Pat Tyler]

Mast Gate

If you have the Charleston Spar like we do the mast gate is probably your problem. Charleston Spar said if our dealer couldn't fix it they would send us another gate. Our dealer fixed it with a hammer. Not a good design...works fair now but still not like you would expect from a new boat..Hope this helps...#834

 

[Ed]

320 Mainsail Raising

We sail a C320 and also experience minor difficulties raising the main from the cockpit. Sail lubricants help such as Sailkote, McLube, & Sea Spray Dry PTFE. You will need to re apply as the season goes on. Our slides do remain in the mast slot. However, we sometimes need to go forward to help a few slides that seem to get hung up at near the mast gate. The Lubricant will help this. I raise the main from the cabin roof at the mast. I" jump the halyard" like the the old days of sail. This allows me to guides any slides that hang up. I have someone take in the halyard slack through the ropeclucth and winch in the cockpit.Check out responses regarding mast gate.

 

[Doreen]

Thanks all for your advice

Thanks all for your helpful advice!!! We plan to try to solve the probem this weekend!