J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Main Sail Slugs

I made some plates to close off the "gate" for Mondial. I got some scrap stainless steel, approximately 1/16" thick and cut it into two long rectangles. From memory, they were about 1-1.5" by 6-8". Then on the sides away from the slot, I rounded the edges so the overall shape is like a stretched "D". I also tapered the top and bottom edges where the slugs have to pass by the plate so they wouldn't hang up there. Then I drilled a top and bottom hole in each one after aligning them on the back of the mast with about a 1/4" gap between the plates. I used self-tapping screws to hold the plates in place. Does that make sense?

Joe

Scott - I did the same thing as Joe, except I used high density PE (ordered from McMaster Carr). I routed a step in them that would sit in the mast gate opening, cut them to length and width, drilled 2 holes and drilled/tapped holes in the mast. Rounded edges. Incidentally, the same material makes great mast blocks (if you partners have been enlarged). email if you would like a sketch or photo. seth.hunter@i-stat.com

A few have emailed about using HDPE. I double-checked and I'm not certain now if I used HDPE or polypropylene (PP). Both are UV sensitive, but I haven't had a problem with 1 year of exposure. PP is more expensive, and a bit harder, stiffer, stronger than PE. This year I switched to type I PVC for raised winch pads, instrument mounts, and bar stock to raise my main traveler to deck level. PVC/type I is much denser, stronger, and more weather resistant (and cheaper than, but not as pretty as teak). It is much harder to machine (route, drill, saw) than PE and PP. Taps well. Sorry for the confusion.

Well, I'm finally getting around to adding slugs to my main, and wondering how far apart they should be? Or, how many are on a sail that already has slugs?

Thanks again.

It varies. I don't have my sails so I can't measure it for you, but North put them pretty close - maybe 24". Z-Sails is making a sail and said they would but them wider, I think around 30". Wider spacing means easier flaking, fewer folds, less wrinkles (I alternate the folds as it comes down). You should have one at the full-length batten (North did this with a grommet above and below the batten, and "Y" shaped webbing to the slug). Make sure you don't have one in the slot opening when hoisted, cunningham on, etc.

In addition to what Seth said, make sure that you don't have one at the gate when the sail is reefed. I made that mistake when I did my sail. When the sail was reefed, the clew reef (functioning as an outhaul) line bent the gate open. I also believe I put them farther apart ... probably closer to 3 feet apart.

I know I keep bugging you guys with this stuff...but, one more question! Sailrite has two different slugs that will fit the track. One is white, and about 1" long, and the other is dark gray/black and about 1 3/4" long. Which one do you guys have, and did you use shackles or webbing to attach it to the sail?

Thanks again, and I can almost promise this will be the last question!

Scott

I have 2 sails with different brands (don't know the name). One is white all-plastic. The other is gray plastic molded around a wire. Both work. Both attached with shackles.

Go with the black/grey ones that are longer, and use webbing instead of shackles.

The longer slides will provide for smoother hoists, and webbing will be lighter than shackles.

(I had short white ones that jammed in the track and had them replaced with the longer black/grey ones, that work like a charm.)

I didn't use either shackles or webbing. I used heavy waxed sail twine. With that material, it was easy to seize the slug to the sail grommet.