Main Sail Luff Slides - Low Friction Type Availability or Can Standard Type Stick

[Deleted member 36384]

I have a standard set of plastic luff slides. I would like to replace them with something that has less friction. The main comes down OK and I apply some teflon / silicon type (cant remember spray can stuff) lubricant periodically.

Does anyone know if such higher tech luff slides exist? Standard length batten mainsail, Kemp low tech mast.

If your slides are old but look OK can lubricating ruin them such that the friction is increased (certain lubricants and nylon bearings) or do you think if worn, they can be too loose in the groove and can stick?

I used to be able to do a fast drop just by dumping the halyard but now it hangs up on the fast drop and I have to work the lower slides down. I have checked the groove and all looks OK.

All because of Quandary's excellent MOB post!

 

[PetiteFleur]

I had this problem with a fully battened mainsail on a Jaguar 27 some years back. I spoke to Parker & Kay at Suffolk Yacht Harbour who fitted some slightly longer black plastic ones which were brilliant - sail just dropped when halliard released. They did fit them using a 'loose' webbing. Speak to them:- 01473 659878 They are part of Quantum sails now.

 

[pheonix]

sticking slides

i lubricate with a 100% silicone spray obtained from local haberdashers / sewing machine shop works a treay product is bogud easy slide i think but i may have name wrong certainly less expensive than proprietory brands from swindleries and probably more suitable and wont stain sails, i also used this product when manufacturing window blinds when i did this, blinds made 15 plus years previously still work perfectly not sticking at all

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Over time plastic slides get rough with UV degrading and wear.
You can replace them ,or try other varieties Bainbridge Allslip is a good one or there is another variety of the Kemp type which has ridges as the bearing surface,These are called low friction slides.
The main problem with slides can often be the attachment,if its too ridgid they will jamb,depending on the mast section too loose can also allow the slide to sit at an angle and jamb like a jack knife lorry.
We have found that the Allslips being longer spread the bearing surface,they make the slide stack higher.
If your halyard is not to big for the sheave and runs easily when its released, Allslips should improve the situation.
Any grease and grime build up on the spar can stop free sliding so a clean and lubrication with a dry teflon type spray should ease the drag from mast section.
Mclube is a good product for this purpose.

 

[fishermantwo]

I had this problem with a fully battened mainsail on a Jaguar 27 some years back. I spoke to Parker & Kay at Suffolk Yacht Harbour who fitted some slightly longer black plastic ones which were brilliant - sail just dropped when halliard released. They did fit them using a 'loose' webbing. Speak to them:- 01473 659878 They are part of Quantum sails now.

Longer slides will help. The critical part is the bit on the slide where the shackle or webbing attaches the sail. This has to be long enough for the weight to shift to the leading edge of the slide as it goes up or down.