other thoughts
Thought about this some more and have a few other alternatives. First, shouldn't be more than five slugs before the first reef point, if there are then there are too many and some can be removed. If the lower slugs are not on small diameter rope as I discussed earlier, Is the reef tack very close to one of the slugs? If so, remove it as this will allow a fold of the sail to be brought down to the gooseneck regardless of how many slugs are stacked in the slot. I have also seen a band of webbing placed through the reef tack with stainless rings sewn on either end. Neither of the rings can pass through the reef tack but still provides a very strong and seaworthy reef point as well as additional room to reef. Also, Do you have a main sail slug gate block(bolts to the mast and does allow the slugs to come out)? This would allow you do drop the slugs to the boom instead of perched up high with a slug stopper above the gate. Hope this helps. Ken Matejka
