Sail Slides

[Brian Ranniger]

Does anyone have experience with plastic external sail slides? I saw them in a catalog somewhere, but can't seem to locate it. I think Bainbridge Int'l makes them, but they don't sell retail. My problem is that my metal slides bind quite a bit going up which means there is no way I could run the main halyard to the cockpit. Thanks folks.

 

[Ed Schenck]

External?

Could the wrap around part be heavy enough to take the stress if plastic(nylon)? I guess if the track has enough distance from the mast it could. Maybe you could call one of the sailmakers like North or UK.

 

[Roland]

Nylon slides

I have never heard of external nylon slides, either. If your metal slides are binding, it might just be a symptom of another problem. Some areas you might want to look at before speniding time and money and never really solving the problem - Are the slides seized onto the luff properly or are they loose? Are the slides bent or malformed in any way? Is the mast straight athwartship or is it snaked due to improper tension on the shrouds? Are they the right size? If you have full battens, are they secured in batten cars and, if not, is there a slide at the immediate top and bottom of the batten? Is your main halyard, boom vang totally loose as the main goes up? I occasionally put some dish detergent on my slides before I run my main up. It makes a great lubricant and helps to keep the track clean. Hope some of this helps.RolandS/V Fraulein II