Issues with sail slugs

[RedBaron]

It finally stopped raining long enough this weekend for me to get some work done on my CP-16. In addition to cleaning the boat top to bottom, I replaced the hawsepipe and made some progress on refurbishing the tiller. However I ran into an issue when I tried to raise the mainsail. My main sail has slugs and while I was able to get them all into the track on the mast when I started to raise the mast I got it about half way up and then it jammed up and I couldn't move it. I tried raising and lowering it a couple of times and it wasn't getting stuck at the same spot each time. And the halyard moves freely without the sail attached so I don't think there is an issue with the mast.I think the slugs were getting jammed up in the track. This boat sat around for a couple years to my understanding so I'm wondering if I just need to lubricate the track/slugs with some SailKote to help them move along the track.

I also found that I'm missing a couple slugs so I need to order some. I'm pretty sure these are Nautos HPN 297 https://nautos-usa.com/products/hpn-297-sail-slide-7-5mm-7-32-dia-x-27mm-1-1-16-long-10-pieces-set-pnp297 But I was hoping someone could confirm that for me. Also, if there are better slugs that I could be using I would be open to swapping them all out as I have to order some anyway.

[Jasmid53]

Make sure the gap of the mast is not dented or pinching. You can use a drill as a gauge to check the gap. On my 19 the gap was damaged just at the bottom and the sail stop would not fit. The dent was imperceptible to the eye. Also check for rough spots or burrs in the track. These can stop or make raising the sail difficult. Sand any smooth with a fine sandpaper.

[RedBaron]

Make sure the gap of the mast is not dented or pinching. You can use a drill as a gauge to check the gap. On my 19 the gap was damaged just at the bottom and the sail stop would not fit. The dent was imperceptible to the eye. Also check for rough spots or burrs in the track. These can stop or make raising the sail difficult. Sand any smooth with a fine sandpaper.

Ok, I did do a visual inspection before I put the mast up and didn't see anything. I'm planning on taking the mast down tonight so I can perform a more thorough examination of the track. I figure once I get it down I can take one of the slugs and run it through the track and see if I can find any problem spots and go from there.

[Andre]

Sailrite has a nice selection of slugs and related hardware with critical dimensions listed.  If you don't have one, request a free paper catalog.  Not the cheapest source but pretty comprehensive.

I bought my Picnic Cat slugs and shackles from them.

Andre

[RedBaron]

Thanks, I looked over the site and I like the Stainless Steel slugs. I just need to figure out which size I need.

I took the mast down when I got home from work and inspected the track and I was able to slide a slug up and down the track without any issue. The track was free from debris and I wasn't able to find any issues with it. I ordered some sailkote so I'm hoping once I give the track/slugs a good coating that things will move freely and won't gum up.

[carry-on]

RedBaron
Some things you may want to check.
Are the two sheaves at the masthead lubed and easy to move?

Is the main halyard running over the aft masthead sheave then the forward sheave?


Any kinks or wear spots in the halyard that could cause binding?


When hoisting the main is the boom set high enough so you are not trying to lift the boom along with the sail?


Is the downhaul free to run?


You mention some missing slugs. I think there are seven slugs on the main. You might use the slugs you have and start at the head of the sail. Leave the gaps toward the foot and secure the tack. Then see if the sail will hoist. It is easy to twist a slug 180 degrees and cause a bind. As you hoist, the wayward slug will show a cupping in the luff.

If you have a mast light, I suppouse a slug could snag working or abandoned wire..doubtful.


If you live near Laytham, I think there is a West Marine. Their plastic slugs work on my 16 and the price is reasonable.


These little issues are a built in bonuses to help us learn about our boats. Soon you will be sailing in a fine craft. 

[RedBaron]

Thank you, you've given me a lot to look over. I just realized yesterday I had a West Marine only a few miles from my house, not sure how I missed it. The sailkote I ordered should be here tomorrow so provided it's not raining I'm hoping to have time to put the mast back up and try the sail again.

One question though regarding the boom. My boom slides down into the mast but the only thing that holds the aft end of the boom up, is the sail itself. Am I missing some piece of rigging or is the sail the only thing supports the boom? I was under the impression that the sail would hold up the boom, but I figured I'd ask to make sure.

[carry-on]

A topping lift will help.
No backstay on the 16, but a small line from the mast head to the end of the boom will hold the boom up when you are not under sail. 1/8 inch line will work. Not much load.
When you are under sail, you need to slack the topping lift so the main can take proper shape. You need a way to slack the topping lift while sailing. A two or  three foot loop in the topping lift at the boom end secured with a tautline hitch or midshipman's knot will allow adjustment.

Before you douse the main, tighten the topping lift so the boom is horizontal. This prevents the boom from dropping into the cockpit.

[carry-on]

RedBaron,
Before you dig into the masthead sheaves etc, suggest you raise the boom to a point above the luff length of the main. Lets say your luff is 15 ft. 3 in.,  set the goose neck for a luff of 14ft. 9 inches. If you don't have a sail stop to keep the gooseneck in place, just put a line with a clove hitch under the gooseneck as a stopper. Then level the boom with a saw horse or helper and try to hoist the main. I expect it will work.

If you have been trying to raise the main with the tack connected and boom end on the cockpit deck, the gooseneck is likely twisting enough to bind and preventing the main from reaching the masthead.

[RedBaron]

Yeah, it's very possible that between the missing slug and the boom being too low that everything was just getting bound up. And adding a topping lift sounds like something I wanna do. Unfortunately, the mast head does not currently have any additional blocks that would hold the line. I already want to add a wind vane to the top so I'll have to look at adding a block at the top and then another block at the bottom of the mast and maybe an additional cam cleat or a clutch near the cockpit to hold the line in place. For now I'll just have to try and make do without it. I'll try just resting the boom on my shoulder when I raise the sail next time and see how that goes. I will definitely add a topping line to my list of projects though.

[Andre]

For topping lift ....

On my PC (similar size small boat) I rigged a topping lift as follows:

Pop riveted 2 eyes on either side of mast near top
Pop riveted clam cleat on side of boom about 2 feet from clew end
Attached small block to shackle at clew end of boom
Tied topping lift line loop around mast through the eyes.
Led topping lift through block to clam cleat.

This way I can easily adjust tl as long as boom is within confines of cockpit, as when first getting ready to set sail.  My PC has a boom gallows so by using nylon rather than polyester line it has enough stretch so I can finesse the booms height a couple of inches without even using the clam cleat.

Also on small boats like these you can "prototype" this stuff (including lazy jacks) using cheap clothesline and then upgrade.

Andre

[carry-on]

No need for a block at the masthead. You may find a hole through the masthead. A threaded eyebolt will provide a place to secure the topping lift. The masthead is a casting, so if the hole is not there, don't drill. A small strap screwed or pop riveted on the side of the mast will do. The casting extends 2 or 3 inches into the mast, so your top fastener needs to go down a bit..

[RedBaron]

It rained most of the day yesterday and off and on into the evening so I didn't get a chance to work with the sail. I did have enough time to get a couple pictures of the masthead. Would you recommend I try and run the topping lift through the hole in the masthead itself, or attach it to the piece of metal on the starboard side of the mast?

[Andre]

The existing hole looks like it has some sharp edges, I'd see if you can get an eyebolt to fit or at least smooth and bevel the edges.  Don't know what that piece of metal is, looks like some sort of tang.  Fastener's pretty rusty too, maybe you can repurpose those holes to pop rivet an eye/ block.

Andre

[Floridagent]

The metal "tang" looks like an old Windex bracket.