J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment how to make sail raising easier

Thanks for the help, It seems like I need to look at the track and the sheaves first. When I raise the main, I can maybe get it a third of the way without the winch from the cockpit. then I use the larger winch on the cabin top, but by the time it full raised I have had a work out and I consider myself to be in decent shape. Same with the Jib. I like the idea of jumping from the mast and it was something I was thinking about. The problem is I either sail alon or with someone who doesn't know how to drive and several times I had novice raise the main but not get the rope in the completely in the track and had the main pop out. Not fun in a blow.
John

John - your Phantom blog link doesn't work anymore - did you change the address?

I have my main on slugs and a 10 year old could jump the sail. Here are the must do's:

1. Have the right size and type of slugs - well coated with sailcoat. (I will try and take a picture of mine)
2. Free running sheaves at the mast head
3. Flake the sail EXACTLY the same way each time - I start to port and then alternate each flake. The slugs get orientated to flake to one side - if you try and flake the other way the slug will create a lot of friction.

David

What are the size and style of the slugs? Yesterday I single handed and jump the main from the mast. That made it easier, I still have a lot of friction, I'll check the sheaves when I pull the mast this winter

John

I used 3/8" nylon slugs with rockers, lasted one season, the edges of the mast track wears through the nylon pretty quicly, the rockers also tend to get stuck at the mast gate plates. The broken slugs were temporarily replaced with stainless steel with rocker, I intend to replace all with stainless steel without the rocker, best buy at: http://www.sailrite.com/Slug-Bail-Without-Rocker-3-8?sc=2&category=98

I would advise against those! The metal will tear up you soft aluminum mast track. You should use all nylon or marlon slides.

I will upload a picture.

DB

David
can you also post how many you are using. Are yours through gromments with stainless steel shackles? I have an older main that I'll try to set up with slugs.

Here are a couple of pics: First is of the regular slide, the second is of the side that is at the top batten. The slide opposite the batten car gets caught in the gate, the others do not but since we always jump from the mast you just guide it through, all the others are fine.

John
You might have already fixed your problem but I'm about to try what a friend did - hard floor wax. Never had to clean and main goes up single handed easily.
Greg

good idea, I use furniture wax for a lot of other things. It did not think of trying it on the sail