S2 9.2C Main Sail Slides and Mast Track

[engdude62]

Can some one help point me in the right direction in fixing a problem I am currently encountering with difficulty in raising and lowering my main sail? I have a full Batton Main and the Luff uses mutiple 3/8" slugs with rockers fitted in the mast track. Both raising and lowering the sail is quite a chore requiring mutiple tensioning and realeases to move the sail up or down the mast. The track seems like it is 1/2" which could accomidate up to a 7/16" slide slug. The current 3/8" slide slugs seems to have an ability to rock somewhat within the track. I am thinking that the slide rocking within the track might be causing the problem. Can someone with a similar S2 main sail setup provide me with some adviceand and information as to what is working appropreatly on thier boat? Not having the sail freely working up and down the mast can lead to a hazardous situation so I want to fix this problem ASAP.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Is this the original S2 design with the internal slot in the mast for slugs?

 

[sailcruiser]

I can't comment on the slugs but you might want to try spraying the track/slugs with a dry lubricant like Sailkote. It made a huge difference on my last boat.
SC

 

[engdude62]

Is this the original S2 design with the internal slot in the mast for slugs?

Yes, it is the original spar with internal slot (track) for slugs. Best I can tell the slot is 1/2".

 

[engdude62]

I can't comment on the slugs but you might want to try spraying the track/slugs with a dry lubricant like Sailkote. It made a huge difference on my last boat.
SC

I have heard that product works real well. I will give it a try but can't imagine it to be a cure. How did you get it evenly applied throughout the track? Did you go up the mast to apply it?

 

[Mark Maulden]

Lube is not a cure. Get a piece of luff tape that will fit in slot. Put cringe at top and bottom for halyard/down haul. Wrap some green scotch rite around puff tape and duct tape down. Insert this into slot and hoist up/down to scrub the slot.

 

[Mark Maulden]

I also had longer and better slides put on with my new main. Think they're called alslip or something like that. If u do that ur Maine cover might not fit as the sail will stack higher up the mast

 

[engdude62]

Lube is not a cure. Get a piece of luff tape that will fit in slot. Put cringe at top and bottom for halyard/down haul. Wrap some green scotch rite around puff tape and duct tape down. Insert this into slot and hoist up/down to scrub the slot.

Sounds reasonable - I will give that a shot and then lube the track. Did you have a similar problem with your rig?

 

[Mark Maulden]

ya.. Except when I had the mast down a year ago installing radar/wiring/etcetc I was able to scrub it out real well. A long slug with scotchbrite and even a little 320 washed out with a hose. You might want to consider the chair if you're comfortable with it. Just remember most of the friction is the aft part of the slug if you stop and think about it. So, if you do it, pull the slug out while scrubbing. When you lube, it's the "top" of the slug and then the rest.

 

[engdude62]

ya.. Except when I had the mast down a year ago installing radar/wiring/etcetc I was able to scrub it out real well. A long slug with scotchbrite and even a little 320 washed out with a hose. You might want to consider the chair if you're comfortable with it. Just remember most of the friction is the aft part of the slug if you stop and think about it. So, if you do it, pull the slug out while scrubbing. When you lube, it's the "top" of the slug and then the rest.

I have a top climber that I have been wanting to try out and I just replaced the halyards so now might be the time to up the stick. Thanks for your help.