trouble raising the main

[plaverr]

Have just purchased a sailboat with an Isomat Mast 1988. Is anyone aware of a website with cross section diagrams for this mast. We are having great difficulty raising the mainsail even with the winch and suspect something amiss within the mast. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Paul Akers]

Cross Sections

Try www.rigrite.com

 

[Steve Wright]

Silicone Spray

I have a H-26 and whenever the Main is hardto raise, I spray the sail slugs with siliconespray that I buy at the auto supply store.Also, I clean the sail track before I stepthe mast each spring.

 

[Tom Wootton]

Sheet or vang?

Sometimes releasing tension on the vang and/or sheet will allow easier raising; if the boom is pulled down too severely the slugs try to pull away from the mast.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Don't force it

I think Isomat went bust, so forget that.Don't force the line.Shimmy up in a bosun's chair to check the track.No amount of lube will displace a lodged item.Could be a slug broken off in the track.

 

[Robert]

Get an old piece of sail with a couple of

slugs and raise it alone with your spare halyard and a return sheet. If it pulls smoothly, I'd check to be certain your vang and sheets were loose and your reefs not restricting anything. Did you try pulling from the mast to verify that the problem isn't between the mast and the cockpit? It won't hurt to lubricate the track either during the process once you've determined that there are no obstructions or problems with it. I've had good luck with SailKote Dry Lubricant. But as mentioned earlier, if you have track problems, it won't help.Good luck!

 

[Bill]

Dirty slugs

As mentioned, dirty slugs and a dirty track really create a lot of drag. Also as mentioned, Sailkote is a great product, but works best on clean gear.Bill