problems feeding mainsail bolt rope into mast slot

[skier]

Bolt rope often does not feed properly into slot without guidance. See pic here: bolt rope feed problem

It seems the bolt rope is a bit too small. I have another main (Neil Pryde) with a larger bolt rope and it never has this problem but it doesn't have reef points and is also quite old.

Is there an easy solution to this problem?

Seems like it would be difficult to put a larger bolt rope in the sail...

[dtrop01]

I've had this issue on just about every main I've had. Usually when I try to raise it too quickly.

Assuming you have your crew on hand, have them hold the main between their two palms about 8 - 12" below the opening in the main slot, right up against the mast to "feed" the main into the slot.

[skier]

I often single-hand my boat so no crew.

There must be a fix since my Neil Pryde main doesn't do this.

[dtrop01]

Your other option might be a prefeeder as found here:

http://www.apsltd.com/c-1061-headsailan ... eders.aspx

[skier]

The prefeeders might be a good option. I was not aware that devices like these were available. The spinlock one looks good though one problem with it will be that I will have to install and remove the prefeeder every time I rig the boat since the boom must install first and then the prefeeder.

[GreenLake]

I often single-hand my boat so no crew.
There must be a fix since my Neil Pryde main doesn't do this.

I have the same problem, but found it quite possible to raise the sail by myself while feeding it at the same time.

It was faster with my old sails - they had the boltrope covered by a layer of sail fabric. Apparently the gap is wide enough to allow for the slight extra thickness.

With the new sail, the boltrope is simply stitched to a piece of tape that is then sown to the edge of the sail.

[FF26 Truck]

I have a DS1 and found the same issue keeping the bolt rope properly inserted into the mast, an additional issue we encountered was the mainsail falling all over when we dropped it in a hurry. To remedy this I had a local sail loft install plastic slugs to feed into the mast track. Instead of feeding the bolt rope and having to contend with binding and alignment problems we just set the slugs in the track, insert a track stopper and we're ready to go. Now we raise and lower the sail and don't have to keep it from going overboard, one sail tie will keep it on the boom until it can be properly flaked and secured. This may not be approved for racing but it sure makes cruising with 2 much easier.

[skier]

The slugs sound like an even better solution. And I could use an additional stopper below my boom to keep the boom from dropping down so far when I drop the main. Looks like Duckworks has 3/8in (right size?) slugs for $1.08.

[FF26 Truck]

I measured the slugs on our main at 1/2", actual measurement is approximately 7/16", you may want to pick up one of each to verify which size is correct for your mast. They installed 10 of them on our sail, and will need a measurement for the first slide above the tack. Be sure to allow for downhaul adjustments on your boom so the first slide does not sit in the mast track opening and become useless.
We also had the original plastic jib slides replaced with brass crimp on hanks. The slides were snug fitting 1/4 turn plastic pieces that made dropping the jib almost impossible unless you were sitting on the bow pulling directly downward. With the new hanks we can drop most of the jib just by letting the halyard go. Just a suggestion in case you have the same hardware on your jib.

[skier]

Thanks for the extra info on the slug size!

My jib already has metal (bronze?) hanks and slides very smoothly.

Do the slugs on the main slide smoothly (main drop easily)?

[FF26 Truck]

Yes, they do slide pretty easily. An occasional spray of dry lubricant will ensure that they don't get hung up in the mast track.

[jeadstx]

I'm planning on putting slugs on my mainsail and was told that the correct size is 3/8". I bought some and they seem to fit the track right.

John

[skier]

What slug spacing should be used?

[jdoorly]

I installed sail slugs on my main yesterday. I put the 10 grommets (spaced at 24") for the slug/shackles in line with the tack and head grommets. This spacing allows a flaking of 1 foot to starboard and 1 foot back, 1 foot to port and 1 foot back, ... .

I got samples from D&R and Defender. The D&R (3/8" Davis) slugs fit the mast track and the 3/8" grommets I installed on the mainsail, but the shackle part is longer and thinner and the affect is loose and sloppy and too much air between the mainsail and the mast. The slugs from Defender (3/8" Ronstan) fit the mast track OK. The shackle is shorter and thicker and the slug/shackle combination is sturdier, but the shackle boss is too big for the grommets and I had to file a taper on the boss. The 3/8" grommet kit I got from West Marine came with a hole punch tool and male and female dies, and was the only size they sold. The Davis 1/2" sail stop works fine in the mast slot.

Previously I installed the D&R (actually Dwyer) turnbuckle but put it a few inches below the bolt rope/slug feed slot. This allows me to keep the boom attached to the mast stub and resting on a boom gallows, with the mainsail permanently bent on. I rigged an 8' tall "A" frame with a 4::1 purchase from the stem head to the top of the "A", where the jib halyard does temporary mast lifting duty. After I lower the mast onto the gallows, the mast can be pulled forward to the mast rest on the trailer- the mainsail stays in place because the the slugs just let the mast slide by.

[skier]

jdoorly:

Do you have pictures of your rigging system? It sounds like you're able to rig faster since the sail remains attached to mast and boom?