Sail Slide Problem

J

jerry10848

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Jun 4, 2004
34
- - lake george, ny
One of the two plastic sail slides at the head of my mainsail broke. Unlike the other slides that are attached to the sail with plastic shackles, the two at the top are attached via nylon webbing. I don't want to cut the webbing and re-sew it, and am looking for some type of sail slide - presumably metal - that could open up to attach to the webbing. I can't seem to find what I'm looking for online or in the West Marine catalog. Does anyone know of such a thing, or easy way to deal with this?
Attached pic probably explains the problem better than I can.
 

Attachments

DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
It seems that you really wouldn't needed to cut the webbing itself. Just cut the seizing, install the new slug and re seize. It shouldn't be a big project.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
DougM said:
It seems that you really wouldn't needed to cut the webbing itself. Just cut the seizing, install the new slug and re seize. It shouldn't be a big project.
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Exactly, a great time to work on your sail repair skills and gear. Get a regular slide like the one that broke. Start making a good sail repair kit with a large gauge sail needle, a palm, and some seizing/sailmaker thread. An easy fix.
 
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C

cjm1

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Jul 10, 2013
41
custom Herreshoff 33 sloop Lake Charlevoix
That is why the top two slides are usually stainless steel slides.
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
The head slide(s) take much of the stress of raising, especially if you drift away from the wind a bit while hoisting, hence the usual installation of steel slides. And they're flat slides, not slug slides.

If you don't want to buy sail repair gear, or worry about a repair you're not sure of, a sail loft can likely install them without much trouble or cost. If you use stainless slides, this will probably be the last time you'll need this type of work done.

Resist the temptation to use a shackle middleman, as it will cause issues with chafe and snagging. Not that you were thinking about it :) but I've seen others who have.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,320
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
As the others mentioned.... a package of needles and some seizing line would get you on your way... Purchase a couple of extra slugs and keep them in your ditty bag with the needles, a palm, some seizing line, a sharp knife and some repair tape.... all this effort will make you feel quite accomplished and make you a more saltier yachtsman. Here's a link for supplies.... http://www.sailmakerssupply.com/prod_detail_list/23
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,001
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I think it was GOB magazine that had a detailed article about how to seize webbing for sail slides. It wouldn't be hard but would take being able to follow step by step instructions. Lest I think it was GOB. If not it would have been Sail. In any event, a sailmaker could do the repair as well.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
this repair is easy
cut the sizing, unwind the webbing and insure tit is sound. if not go to JoAnn fabric and get some.
Using the old "folds" as a guide. Install the slide and weave/wrap the webbing into place.
Run one row of sizing where the old ones where near the sail and another near the slide.
The trick is to not use knots. Start out running the sizing in between the layers of webbing right along where you are going to do the sizing stitches with a tail sticking out. On the working end start your sizing making sure the 'tail" is captured by the sizing. and your stitches are tight. When you finish the sizing stitch run the sizing back through the webbing just like you started. that last bit does take a sewing palm if you did it right. Cut off the tails flush with the webbing.
repeat for the other sizing.
Should take about 10 minutes after you get the sail down.
 
K

keys please

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Dec 31, 2012
91
Catalina 28 mkll #649 Port Charlotte, fl
Gotta agree with doing the repair..... build your own kit.... its handy to have.....:D

all the best..
 
W

Wanderer138

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Apr 19, 1999
1,670
Pearson Wanderer Titusville, Florida
A heavy nylon cable tie ("zip-tie") can be used to attach a new slide in a jiffy if you don't have time for a proper repair, e.g., while under way. However, this is just a temporary fix. The slide should be repaired properly at the first opportunity.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,320
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Steve Dion said:
Your local sail maker can take care of you in an hour or two.
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Uh.... Steve, if it takes an hour or two for a sailmaker to strap on one slug they aren't going to be in business for long. I'm thinking a few minutes, while you wait. It's takes, much longer to create an eye splice, and how much does a rig shop charge for that?.. $20?
 
dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Go to Sailrite.com. They have everything you need and doutless provide an instructional video starring Peggy, narrated by Jeff Frank, CEO, chief cook and bottle washer
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Joe said:
Uh.... Steve, if it takes an hour or two for a sailmaker to strap on one slug they aren't going to be in business for long. I'm thinking a few minutes, while you wait. It's takes, much longer to create an eye splice, and how much does a rig shop charge for that?.. $20?
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Uh... Joe, if he does it for $20 they are going to be in business for a lot less time! :dance:
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,320
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Steve Dion said:
Uh... Joe, if he does it for $20 they are going to be in business for a lot less time! :dance:
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Well, first of all I meant that if he took an hour or two to apply one sail slide, he would be spending a lot of labor cost to apply ten or twelve on a new sail... I think not.

Steve, if it takes longer than 5 minutes to do the job I would be surprised. Many would do this for free, because it generates good will towards the sailboat owner who may return and buy a new sail. If I were a loft owner I would certainly make the repair for free.... it's good karma. It's like getting your air pressure checked or having a flat fixed for free at America's/Discount Tire stores...... did you know they will fix any flat for free? Why? Because you'll go back there to buy your tires... They are the best!!!

So any good loft manager, who thinks big, will make that minor repair for practically nothing while he sets the stage for the future sail order.
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,833
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Joe, My loft thinks that way. They are doing a $99 flat fee "Inspection, Repair & Restitch as needed". I asked him to replace the 34 yr old head slides while he was at it. He said sure, about a 10 minute job so it would be included.
I asked why the Inspection Repair & Restitch cost so little. He said he takes care of his clients and if you aren't a client he wants you to be. that and it's fill work for slow winter days
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,965
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
Wanderer138 said:
A heavy nylon cable tie ("zip-tie") can be used to attach a new slide in a jiffy if you don't have time for a proper repair, e.g., while under way. However, this is just a temporary fix. The slide should be repaired properly at the first opportunity.
Click to expand
Once I lashed a couple--neatly--with about 6 turns of parachute cord while underway, just as an expedient. Lasted for years, until the next time I had the sail off and sewed it up properly. The only important difference is that webbing looks neater.

And yes, shackles are bad in terms of wear and breaking sail slides, IMHO.
 
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