Sail slides breaking

[dscribner]

Of course I've been in boats and sailing forever, but I too get mystified by some things:
I get slides breaking in multiples. 2 or 3 at a time, adjacent to each other.
Sometimes they break at the loops, in which case they all do, sometimes they break at the slides, in which case they all do, as they did this time (pic).
Happens without any notable coinciding incident, although there may have been some minor slatting in low or no wind.
I always have medium tension on the halyard, enough to be taut but not so much to curl the luff.
Bolt roped with many slides, about every 18 inches. Half battens.
I've thought of getting metal slides but figured I'd see if anyone else has this issue and a remedy.
View attachment 139593

There we were, new to sailing, enjoying a spring sail in Casco Bay. Winds were 15 - 20 knots and we had just broken one of our starboard winches. That's another story. Well, we had just round the southern end of House Island when the wind began to pick up and change direction. Not unusual for the Fore river in the afternoon. Well, I glance up to see what my windex was doing only to see my lower mast slide pop. Then the next . . . POP! In seconds and with increasing rapidity they all succumbed to the beckoning of the wind. The only thing holding us together was the steel fittings, tack and head. Sailrite and I got acquainted that day.

 

[RICEST]

I have a 1984 Caliber 28 and have had the same issues with plastic slides. Mine, however broke due to some unexpected jibes. I broke a few at the end of last season - then broke 4 the first time out this season. I think I have replaced them all - or close to all. In my case, I think it was because they were old and brittle due to UV and sun. I definitely want to lube the track.