Sail Slug Size

[John Stevens]

I have a bolt rope and would like to change to slugs. What size do I need for the DS1?

John

[calden]

John:

Funny you should ask this. I've been looking into sail slug size for my other boat. I found a great resource with the Rig-Rite website, which specs mast sizes for boats, and gives info about accessories, like sail slugs. Here's the info for our Daysailer masts:

http://www.rigrite.com/Spars/Kenyon_Spars/C6-mast.html

They recommend a 3/8" slug size. This is assuming, of course, that this mast section is pretty exact in dimensions (wall thickness, etc.) to what is on your boat. I would think that 3/8" would be about right.

But - call Rudy at D&R.

Carlos

[John Stevens]

Thanks, how far apart should they be?

John

[John Stevens]

That sounds a little close compared to other boats I've had but I'll lay the sail out tomorrow and see where I'm at.

Thanks,

John

[John Stevens]

Got the slugs on today. I ended up about 22 inches apart.

The one above the reef grommet was tricky. It's not 22 inches because of the mast slot location. I also doubled up at the head of the sail (about 10 inches apart, I was told that's where most of the pressure is.

I also put one about an inch above the cunningham grommet so it's actually below the mast slot. Not sure if there should be one that low but it seemed like a long distance between slugs if I didn't put one there.

Anyway, any thoughts on these locations? I can always unscrew and relocate.

Lastly, can I race with sail slugs or is it only bolt rope that's legal?

TIA,

John

[calden]

John;

I've been thinking about the same things pertaining to my San Juan 21, which is in a slip so slugs make more sense, seeing as how the sail stays on the boat. I'm going out Saturday and putting them on the sail.

Here's what Sailrite advises about slugs near the tack:

"It is a good idea not to put a slide or slug within 30 inches or so of the tack. This is especially the case if the sail will be reefed since any hardware below the luff cringle will either have to be removed from the track or slot or the reef at the tack will have to be stacked above the stop in the track or slot. Indeed, this is a good reason for not installing any slides or slugs below the first reef cringle."

This makes sense to me, and I'm going to leave slugs off the lower part of the sail, then hoist it and go sailing and see if that matters.

Full page of ideas at:

http://www.sailrite.com/Installation-of-Slugs-or-Slides

Carlos

[John Stevens]

I was thinking along those lines but the reef grommet is about 35 inches from the tack as it is. The first slug being above the reef point has to be about 12 inches so that it doesn't fall out when hooking the reef hook. So... it ends up being a long way from the tack point. It seems like I had them below the reef point on my bigger boats.

I'm going to try it and see how it works with the slug nearer the tack.

I'm going to install a mast gate anyway so it should just slide down the slot, I hope.

John

[calden]

John:

Installed slugs on my San Juan 21 yesterday. Put two up under the headboard, then 24" down to about 5" up from the reef cringle, then another one right at the cringle.

I went out sailing in a variety of winds but none over 15 knts. I did not have any slugs between the reef cringle and the tack, and I felt no problems. The sail did not blow away from the mast or anything like that. It felt unnecessary to have a slug in that area.

I did buy a few extra slugs and shackles, and I'll keep observing to see if I might need one there, but so far it seems not likely.

Carlos