MacGregorSailors.com

Hi,

A weathered all plastic sail slug broke on my '98 26X last weekend. Does anyone know the correct replacement size? I searched the forum but only came up with 3/8' as the M size. I didn't think to bring the broken slug (it was the top one) with me for reference. The boat is 90 miles away, so I'd rather get it right the first time. I suspect I'll wind up replacing most, if not all, of them to prevent future problems.

Thanks,

Bill

I looked at the slug track from the end of the mast. It looks like it could take a 3/4 inch slug. I was at the sail store the other day because I had broken a slug. They had all kinds. I got several 3/8s and several 1/2s. They both fit just fine. I like the 1/2s because they look more secure in the track.

Ken

I have an 85' 25 foot Mac that I bought a couple of years ago but haven't used until this week. I had a Morgan 33 that I was committed to until it sold this summer. Being insane, I bought the Mac before I sold the Morgan. Anyway, we hauled the boat up to Diamond Lake which is a few miles from Crater Lake in Oregon. There was a stiff wind and I didn't want to test drive it in that atmosphere so we laid around for two days reading, swimming, fishing, tile rummy. This morning we laid around all morning waiting for some wind. The lake was like glass. The wind came up in the afternoon. We were on the lake when I raised the main. It jammed about 18 inches from the top. It was the third slug down. It wouldn't go up or down. I finally managed to get it up, (story of my life) Since the wind wasn't too intimidating we decided to sail. The boat handled well and sailed pretty close to the wind even though there is another sail problem. We sailed up and down and across the lake for a couple of hours before we started to see a few whitecaps and decided to pack it in.... me stressing about the jam. When I went to lowering the main it wouldn't budge. I hauled on it and jerked it to no avail while my wife kept us headed into the wind as best she could. Do any of you remember the old tune by the Kingston Trio, " A Man Named Charlie." He was doomed to ride around the streets of Boston forever on a trolly. I had visions of us ripping around Diamond lake until it freezes over. (Crater lake had over 30 feet of snow this year.) FInally, I grabbed a hold of the luff and pulled with all my might. I managed to pull the sail down six inches at a time. The third slug from the top had about half of it riding outside of the track. I also noticed that the track had nicks and burrs on the outer edge. I want to replace the slugs and will smooth the track with fine wet and dry sandpaper when I drop the mast. My problem is, I didn't have a tape to measure the space in the track. Is it 3/8's in the 25's as well? I see another poster used 1/'2 inche slugs but I am wondering if they will work in a 25. I also read on another site that longer slugs don't jam as easy. Has anybody tried that. The boat is 2 hours from home for a month. The other problem is that when the leach is pulled tight there is a bag at the clew. The sail has been pretty well used. Could this be from stretch? I will probably be looking to buy another main sail?

I know the boat is away for the month, but when you see her again look at the top of the mast when you drop it to trailer. I think you will be amazed at how big that opening is.

When I got my slugs they were only $.60 each. For that you could buy two sets and maybe return the set that you don't like. I can't believe Roger paid the money to get a mast with the track so close tolerance that a 1/2 incher would not go in and work well.

Good Luck

Ken