Stuck

[ScottD]

Just bought an 82 S2 9.2 and she is a beaut. However, it is very difficult to raise the main sail and the jib. It takes two people pulling very hard on the "ropes" (with winch) to get them raised. Not possible with only one person, even using the winch. Is there a way to lube the ropes, or pullys, or whatever to make it easier? As always, I appreciate your help.
Scott

 

[Ross]

Lots of ways, tallow is traditional.

 

[Tim R.]

The problem is likely your sail tracks. There is a sail track in your mast for your main and you probably have a foil(with furler) on your headstay. You should be able to raise the main fairly easily if the track is clean and lubed. I can raise the main on my 35 ft. boat because I clean and lube the track every spring. I use a small square of scotchbrite pad(green) and slide it up and down the track. I then lube it with sailkote. The head sail foil should also be lubed.

 

[Maine Sail]

McLube

McLube SailKote is what you want!!

(LINK) Get it here at SBO and support your host! (LINK)

 

[Ross]

McLube SailKote is what you want!!

(LINK) Get it here at SBO and support your host! (LINK)

AWwhh , Mainesail, he asked if there was a way to lube the ropes or pullys. ;D

 

[novelman17130]

I second "Sailkote". I have used and continue to use it everywhere there are moving surfaces. Even with hard mainsail slugs I have problems if I don't regularly spray all surfaces.
Duane "Novelman"

 

[Dave from Mi.]

Stuck?

Hi Scott and Congrats! Nice boat!

I second what has been said about McLube, wonderful product. You say you are having problems with both main and jib, which would indicate a couple of problems. 1. your blocks or sheves at the top of the mast may be frozen/stuck. A good spray of McLube will help that. Even with all of the sheeves not turning at top of mast, it should not be that hard to take two persons and a winch. I suspect you have one of your halyards twisted inside the mast. I had a similiar problem with my spinnaker halyard and upon inspection last winter with the mast down, the spinnaker halyard had two full twists around the rest of the halyards inside the mast. After untangling the mess, all halyards worked almost effortlessly.

On my C30, I am able to take the full batten main all the way up by hand and use the winch only to tension the halyard. I spray the sailtrack each spring with McLube.

fair winds
Dave

 

[caguy]

Do you hank your jib on? If so the only source of friction

would come from the block or a twisted hank. I ran into that when I assumed the person hanking on the jib was paying attention. When I went to raise the jib it jammed. The slugs can also get twisted also and not only jam on the way up but when you need to drop them. I use silicon spay for the slugs about once a month. I also use it on my keel winch, sheet winches, cabin top slides and my knees when they get stiff.
If anything else gets stiff its KY, although Tallow sounds promising, thanks Ross.
Frank

 

[JoeD]

Scott, You didn't mention if it is also hard to get down? With a little more information everyone might be of more help.

Lube will help but what is the cause of the problem? If your track was that bad would think your sail slides would break. Must have other problems, Maybe sheves frozen, or halyard off sheaves?

 

[knowitall]

Beeswax is better than tallow - ask around.

(nm)

 

[Steve Dion]

I suggest you check out your halyards and sheaves.

I would remove the halyard by attaching a fish line to them and be sure that there is no problems there. You may also have oversized halyards. Trying to pull a 1/2" line thru a sheave that is designed for 3/8" line can be a major problem too.

If you un-step the mast during the winter, it would be a good time to check the sheaves. Considering you difficulty raising the sail, I doubt you can raise anyone to inspect them while the mast is up.

 

[Deadline]

I'm with Steve

Steve Dion is one of the acknowledged experts on this site. You should try the ideas to grease the slugs (I prefer dish detergent because it won't get clogged with dirts like Sailkoat).

If that doesn't help, borrow a colleagues bowson chair and get two guys to hoist you up to look at the sheeves atop the mast.

 

[Ross]

Re: I'm with Steve

Does the problem also exist when you need to drop the sails? If you remove the halyard from the sail and tie a 1/4 inch line to it does it run freely? There is a complete system involved here with the jib and the mainsail displaying the same symptoms. There are several places for the problem to exist but the masthead is the most likely trouble spot.

 

[ScottD]

Thanks for all the help. The sail comes down easily, so maybe not the tracks.
Would hate to have to go up the mast, so hopefully it is something simplier.
Thanks
Scott

 

[Prime Time]

Sorry if this seems insulting, but when you are hoisting sails, are you pointed into the wind with the sheets freed to allow the sails to luff? This greatly off-loads the halyards.

 

[Ross]

Thanks for all the help. The sail comes down easily, so maybe not the tracks.
Would hate to have to go up the mast, so hopefully it is something simplier.
Thanks
Scott

IF the sail comes down freely--Then you don't have slides binding, you don't have halyards jammed, so you must look to a different cause.