Trouble Raising the Main

[NiceAft]

Ray is a nick name. It's actually Raphael. I am an archangel.

[Carioca]

Switch to nylon sail slugs.

http://www.downwindmarine.com/images/T/891452.jpg

[Québec 1]

Nylon slugs and Teflon spray(just a bit mind you) keep my haul downs quick and easy.

[dlandersson]

Sailkote works very nicely.

Nylon slugs and Teflon spray(just a bit mind you) keep my haul downs quick and easy.

[Tomfoolery]

Sailkote works very nicely.

Nylon slugs and Teflon spray(just a bit mind you) keep my haul downs quick and easy.

And make sure they're the right size. Mine came with 5/16" all-nylon slugs, installed by a PO or someone who didn't know (or didn't want to bother) that the tack fitting attachment had to be moved back when slugs are used.

But the small slugs would bind in the slot. I replaced them with 1/2" slugs, and they run up and down very nicely now. I just have to replace the top one this winter, as it's the worst offender, but it's sewn on with a cloth strap rather than the plastic shackles all the rest have. But that top one, when it tilts and binds, which happens every time, stops the sail from going up or down, so I have to jiggle the halyard to free it.

And ditto on SailKote.

[Neo]

Sorry for taking so long guys....

Raised the mast at the Marina .... This raised the attention of the Marina Manager who told me to keep pulling the Haylard "Hard!!!"... I raised the boom (took any tension off the leech) and kept pull the Haylard away for the mast while taking up the slack around the mast cleat. It gave a little more each time which I concluded was the bolt rope gradually stretching but end result was about 8" from the top (Head).

The pics below are with the twist shackle fitted to the tack but I think the one I used was too long and have bought a smaller one since (not tired it yet)..... Whats your thoughts on this?.....



It still looks baggy (to me) on the Luff and reading though some the other posts...
I have a Cunningham .... But the way the gooseneck is currently designed I can't see how the Cunningham could tighten anything without breaking the goosneck?!
With + 8" to go I'd like to try and stretch the bolt rope first before cutting the stitching.

I actually like the idea of the sliding goosneck (up/down the mast slot) ..... Might be able to combine that with a rolling/Furling Boom to occasionally raise the boom above the Bimini.

My Main may be shot but I recently got a quotes for AU$1,725 to replace it ... So I'd much rather live with it for now.


All the best.
Neo

[Tomfoolery]

You didn't answer the first question, though I'm guessing that the possibility of the bolt rope stretching would make that a 'yes'.

Is the tack fitting tight at the boom when the main is raised? <snip> And if it isn't tight, don't dismiss the possibility that the mast groove is pinched or something else is preventing the bolt rope or top slug from sliding freely.

To answer the second, assuming the first is negative, I'd lower the mast and inspect the slot, and run a slug through it at the top. Eliminate the mechanical possibilities, then look toward the sail itself.

Which looks like a bed sheet. No offense intended. I'd cut the threads to the bottom of the bolt rope and see what it does. Mine moved up a lot when I did, and once I fixed the tack to the boom, it looked like a whole 'nuther sail. Not new, not by a long shot, but not so much like a bed sheet any more at least.

And from the pics, it looks like the battens aren't in it, though that has nothing to do with the bolt rope.

[BOAT]

Sail on 'boat' look like this:


neo sail don't look right:


first thing I gotta ask - where are your battens?


neo is right. something is wrong with that sail.

I think Tomfoolery is on the right track - that sail looks like a sail that does not have the tack secured properly. All the things Tomfoolery suggested sound correct. If pulling down on the tack of the sail does not remove the wrinkles I would replace that sail.

.

[grady]

According to the wrinkles in your main you need more halyard tension. Also the sail looks like it has a big belly, (blown out). The only real fix is to replace if you want a nice shaped sail.

[Don T]

Hello,
By the pic, I think the leach is tight and stopping the sail from going up further. Let the boom loose and hoist the sail up some more.

Don

[BOAT]

If the boom (main sheet) were tight it would not be able to hang out over the side like that - It appears the main sheet is loose and the boom is free to move.

This is really a puzzle - is it a sail for an X boat maybe? Perhaps the wrong sail?

[Jimmyt]

Neo,

You may have seen this - if so, sorry. Travis had a similar issue with his sail, and shot a before and after video which I found informative. You might want to give it a look if you haven't seen it. https://youtu.be/Xs7i5hzeq_s

$1700+ for a new main would have me squirming - feel your pain.

Hope you can find a better price if that winds up being your issue.

Jim

[Neo]

Is the tack fitting tight at the boom when the main is raised? .

It was tight on the boom but loose on the mast. Wanted to get a photo of this but was distracted by the Marina manager (who told me I had to check-out soon!!)

Battens are not in .... because I forgot to put them in lol!! ... But the MainSheet was tight.

Just checked the tracks on the Mast and the boom (inside and out) ... they are perfect.

I hate the idea of cutting stitching .... Do you think I'm wasting my time trying to stretch the bolt rope?

Is the gooseneck designed correct for a Cunningham (Boom Vang)?.... I don't think so


Thanks Jim ... Yep it was that Vid that got me thinking I need to do something with my Main .... Only started using it a couple of weeks back.

All the best.
Neo

[BOAT]

The 700 dollar sail the BWY sells should do fine if budget is an issue. The real nice fancy 2000 dollar mains are great but it's a marginal improvement in performance. (In other words, if you getting a pricey sail just for performance it's not worth the price unless your racing). The main value of the real expensive sails (the good ones like Judy sells) is that they will last a long time. If you don't have the money just get the cheap one that BWY has for 500 dollars and save up for the expensive one later. The 500 dollar one will be good for at least 5 seasons. Very few sails will last more than 10 seasons.

[Don T]

Hello,
When ever I have seen wrinkles like that in the main, it was because the leach is tight before the luff when hoisting.

Don T