On Vee Jay, we went to a Tides Marine Track after spending years with mickey mouse slides that never really slide right. But this summer sailing on Rhapsody, who uses both slides or bolt rope mains, that boat seems to have no problem. I don't think you have to go to the Tides Track as it is expensive for what it is.
With Slides
1. the backstay must be loose with as little bend in the mast as possible.
2. any lubricant with any "body" seems to attract dirt and not only do you have to use a lot of lub, you have to periodically clean the track. AND THAT IS A PAIN.
3. if the sail is hard to raise it will be hard to drop once the slot gets gummed up.
4. look at how the racers raise the sail at the mast by sweating the halyard. done right you will only need a crank or two at the winch to top it out.
5. try any alternative you can before you think of lubbing the slot.
It is not a problem for two people to raise the sail with one at the mast and the other at the winch with the cleat locked in.
vic [acting summer mastman on Rhapsody at 67 and 155 lbs.]
