We had an accidental jibe during high winds over the weekend and broke 8 sail slugs on the main. Bummer way to end a day of sailing. My question to the group is, how do you measure sail slugs? I am guessing that it is the diameter of the round portion that goes in the mast track. If this is the case, then it looks like I need the 7/16 inch variety. Will the 260 mast take the 1/2 inch size? Thanks, Jim
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Bill O'Donovan
Try this
Go to the ship's store and buy both sizes to see which one fits best. Don't get it too snug, or you won't be able to hoist the sail. Once you've replaced the slugs, order a second set from West or Boat US catalog and this time get a set with steel reinforcement under the plastic.
Go to the ship's store and buy both sizes to see which one fits best. Don't get it too snug, or you won't be able to hoist the sail. Once you've replaced the slugs, order a second set from West or Boat US catalog and this time get a set with steel reinforcement under the plastic.
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Nancy Berg
No ship's store
Those of us in the hinterlands do not have a ship's store of any kind. I'll bet there is not one in Boise Idaho, either. We get all our boat stuff via catalog or internet, On vacation, my favorite thing to do is shop at West Marine!
Those of us in the hinterlands do not have a ship's store of any kind. I'll bet there is not one in Boise Idaho, either. We get all our boat stuff via catalog or internet, On vacation, my favorite thing to do is shop at West Marine!
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Crazy Dave Condon
sail slugs
the sail slugs are ither 3/8 or 1/2 inches depending on when the sails were made. Measure them and that will tell you the size and do not forget to get metal shacklels as back ups in the case the plastic suckers break a roo. Trying to get the plastic ones off may sometimes break particulary after about 4 beers. Crazy Dave Condon
the sail slugs are ither 3/8 or 1/2 inches depending on when the sails were made. Measure them and that will tell you the size and do not forget to get metal shacklels as back ups in the case the plastic suckers break a roo. Trying to get the plastic ones off may sometimes break particulary after about 4 beers. Crazy Dave Condon
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Jim Larson
sail slugs
Dave, So, what do you measure? Is it the diameter of the piece that goes inside the mast? Also, you mentioned the shackles. Is this the piece that connects the slug to the sail? Thanks, Jim
Dave, So, what do you measure? Is it the diameter of the piece that goes inside the mast? Also, you mentioned the shackles. Is this the piece that connects the slug to the sail? Thanks, Jim
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Frank Ladd
Yes
You measure the Diameter of the cylinder that slips into the mast track. The shackle is the piece that connects the slug to the sail. When it happened on my boat I replaced all the slugs and all the shackles. The plastic weakens over time. I also bought another complete set of slugs and shackles as my size was had to find locally. I put plastic shackles and slugs on because they are very easy to replace, they are cheap, and they are more likely to fail before the sail material does. You can use plastic slugs with metal shackles but I would not use metal slugs and metal shackles unless on a very heavy sail. Any sailmaker will carry them or you can order them from sailrite.
You measure the Diameter of the cylinder that slips into the mast track. The shackle is the piece that connects the slug to the sail. When it happened on my boat I replaced all the slugs and all the shackles. The plastic weakens over time. I also bought another complete set of slugs and shackles as my size was had to find locally. I put plastic shackles and slugs on because they are very easy to replace, they are cheap, and they are more likely to fail before the sail material does. You can use plastic slugs with metal shackles but I would not use metal slugs and metal shackles unless on a very heavy sail. Any sailmaker will carry them or you can order them from sailrite.
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Gary Pardun
unbreakable slugs
We got tired of replacing the nylon slugs on our '95 H26 and bought 10 oversized, practically indestructible slugs from Sailrite. Part number 698: 3/8" Allslip Slug/Slide ROUND Other sizes available. Here's the link. gary
We got tired of replacing the nylon slugs on our '95 H26 and bought 10 oversized, practically indestructible slugs from Sailrite. Part number 698: 3/8" Allslip Slug/Slide ROUND Other sizes available. Here's the link. gary
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Tom M.
How do you replace them?
Does this process require sewing and/or unstiching the broken slug from the sail? I never paid any attention to it. Have yet to experience the problem..... -Tom M.
Does this process require sewing and/or unstiching the broken slug from the sail? I never paid any attention to it. Have yet to experience the problem..... -Tom M.
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Frank Ladd
Replacing slugs
In front of the battens on my sail the slugs were attached with webbing. I simply removed the stitching on the webbing to remove the broken slug. Then I slipped on the new slug and restitched the webbing with V69 sail thread. The slugs that were not in front of battens can be replaced by unsnapping the plastic shackle and snapping on a new plastic shackle and slug. You will want to replace both the plastic shackle and the slugs because they both get brittle. The webbing seems like it will last the life of the sail. Once you have the right materials the job will take about an hour the first time you do it.
In front of the battens on my sail the slugs were attached with webbing. I simply removed the stitching on the webbing to remove the broken slug. Then I slipped on the new slug and restitched the webbing with V69 sail thread. The slugs that were not in front of battens can be replaced by unsnapping the plastic shackle and snapping on a new plastic shackle and slug. You will want to replace both the plastic shackle and the slugs because they both get brittle. The webbing seems like it will last the life of the sail. Once you have the right materials the job will take about an hour the first time you do it.
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Tom M.
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Butch Berchem
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