Page 1 of 2

Slugs and Single-handing

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 1:16 pm
by berjim
:macx: So I read everything about single handing and running lines aft but I still don't understand how you feed the sail. I have slugs on the main which makes life so much easier, but each slug must be hand fed into the mast in order to raise the main. What am I missing? :|

Jim

slugs and single-handing

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 1:28 pm
by Francis
After you feed each sail slug into the mast, then there is another separate piece that is called a sail slug stopper. You put that in the mast track right behind the last sail slug and it has a screw knob that you tighten so that it stays firm to the mast. This holds all the slugs in place so that the slugs don't come falling back out. Some people use a small rope to tie around the bottom instead of a slug stopper. You can buy these at usually any boat store that sells to sailboats.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:35 pm
by Frank C
Yeah -- what Francis said.

Repeating in different words, you load the main slugs into the mast during rigging, then never remove them until time to remove the boom and drop the mast. Otherwise they remain in the mast track, stacked above the slug-stopper. When you drop the mainsail, its top 2 to 3 feet remain attached to the mast, via slugs. In order to hoist it again, just pull the aft-led halyard.

Search on the word SLUGS (see a Search Link at top-center of every page). You can read through maybe a dozen earlier threads. You'll find pictures of a mainsail with slugs installed, and diagrams that show how the slugs are spaced along the luff. Feel free to post additional questions if the basics aren't clear.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 5:06 pm
by RandyMoon

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 7:14 pm
by James V
Whenever you loose this you can get a short line and loop it under the bottom slug and then to the cleat.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 8:14 pm
by c130king
I have no cleat on my mast as the PO removed them after he had the lines led aft. I have tied around my mast but it slips down after a while.

I need to get one of these slug stoppers. I will check at WM later this week.

Thanks for the pic and the link.

Jim

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:55 pm
by James V
Jim, buy 2. I never found a way to run a line on it to keep it in the boat.

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 1:43 am
by David Mellon
I'm gueessing we need the Round .50" dia. X .875" (13 x 22 mm)?

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 3:27 am
by c130king
I can't find one of these on the WM website. Can anyone confirm if they sell them?

Thanks,
Jim

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 3:37 am
by Moe

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 3:48 am
by NiceAft
Jim,

This is the WM information for the track stop shown in Randymoon's post.

WM model #108332 (Davis model # 02350) cost$8.99. Definitely purchase two :!:

Ray

Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 4:08 am
by c130king
Ray,

Muchas Gracias Amigo! I was searching using "Slug Stop". I will go buy two today after I get done taking my brother and his family out for a sail.

Mostly sunny, mid 70's, winds WNW at 12 mph. Can't wait.

Jim

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:07 pm
by Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
I've lost one sail track stop, on my 26C(S), about 15 years ago. It's on the bottom off of Key West.
Remove the lock nut from the 1/4" horizontal hex head bolt, on the port side, near the front of the boom. Replace the lock nut with an eye nut. Attach a lanyard to this, and attach the sail track stop to the other end of the lanyard.

Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 8:11 pm
by eric3a
..

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 3:48 am
by c130king
I got one at WM. They only had one in stock.

I couldn't get it to fit in the slot. Seemed like it was too big. (I face that problem frequently... 8) )

Is there only one size of the round ones? It will be easier when I take the boom off and can get a little more leverage on a screwdriver to pry the opening a little wider.

Jim