J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Raising the main; slugs get stuck

1st off, what is the plate on the mast track where the slugs enter the track? (For the sake of this post, I'll call it the "plate")... and should I be using the word "slides" or "slugs" for the components that go into the track?

I think I have the technique for raising the main dialed in. I set the slug just below the plate, then pull on the halyard at the point it enters the mast. When I pull it fast, the slugs usually slide right through the plate.

Once I get down to the last 3 or so, they start wedging themselves about half way up the plate. I have to back off the halyard and try again.

I have a couple questions:

1) Is it normal for the last few to be more difficult to slide through the plate without wedging or coming out of the track?

2) Is it common to need to replace these?

3) Is there a type of slug that would be less prone to getting wedged or come out?

Good morning Mike,

1) I've experienced the same thing. I think this is because of the load caused by the weight of the sail and wind. They shouldn't come out of the track though. If they're coming out through the gate, it is too far open. If they're actually pulling out of the track, there's something wrong...perhaps a sail with too small of slug.

2) Everything you've mentioned are wear items...so they could wear out. However, the life on them should be pretty dang long. If in doubt, I would find a sailmaker who sails out of your marina to take a look and let you know what you're dealing with.

3) Again, I would make sure you have the correct slug for your mast. For instance, I have a Kenyon 4060. There are only a couple of slugs that Kenyon says will work properly with that mast. Perhaps you have a mismatched sail. The bright side is that having slugs changed out is a lot less expensive than replacing a whole sail.

Check out https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/poor-mans-mast-gate.143640/ There are a lot of blog entries out there on this, but this particular one gives some insight on what things are supposed to look like. Beyond that, check out www.mastgates.com. There's a great solution to making raising and lowering the main single handed. I bought a mastgate from them and its great for that.

I hope this helps.

Nate

Another thing to do is clean the mast track. A sail on a bolt rope will do it. I had the sailmaker take a 12" length of luff tape sewn on a small piece of Dacron and had grommets put on top and bottom. Attach the halyard to the top and a chase line on the bottom. Soak it in a bucket with soapy water and run it up and down the mast slot a few times. Makes raising the main on slugs much easier.

That's a great tip! I was wondering about that.

Thanks guys! I'll figure out how to close the gate a little more and I think cleaning the track will help get them through quicker before they slip or wedge.

You have to put a slide in the top batten. I had similar problems until I put the slide there. I also had to replace slides. The one I am using now you can buy it at sailrite.com -> Slug Nylon Round 3/8" SKU: 23319. This slide was suggested to me by somebody who designs slide gates for masts. I ended up creating the gates myself from stainless steel plates.
The slides are functional now.

Juan, I have had the same issues. A new North main had different size slugs at the full length batten ends. So the gates had to be adjust to allow the larger slugs but not to big to allow the smaller slugs to fall out. I use Sail Kate to lubricate the tracks. Another issue is the batten slugs actually put pressure into the gate so that has to be considered to avoid hang ups. As to the last few feet being difficult I think it’s a combo of weight of the sail as well as the friction of the slightly swept back track. I have 2 head grommets (one slightly aft) but neither seems to make a difference in the hoist. Speed of the hoist also seems to make a difference. Slightly slower seems to prevent hangups. Best Dan #409