Main Sail Sliders

[AIDY]

My main sail sliders are not sliding too well nowadays in the mast groove (selden mast) when I'm hoisting and lowering the main. They are the white plastic T shaped sliders. I've tried cleaning them up with WD40 etc.... to try and get them to slide better but this was not too good.

I'm either going to buy a new set of plastic T shaped sliders or has anybody changed there sliders to these flash roller ball raced one's are they expensive and do people have any suggestions where I could purchase them from.

Thanks for any help.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[oldharry]

WD is for some reason useless in this application - probably because it is water based. I had a simialr problem and picked up a spray can of a most evil smelling compound specifically for the job, and it worked. Unfortunately cannot remember the name, and its out on the boat in a F9 at present! Something obvious like rig spray as far as I rmemeber!

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[chippie]

I've used a silicone spray, but keep it away from lines and winches etc.

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[DJE]

We swear by pledge (yes the furniture polish) for anything like this. I think it must contain silicone and there is usually a can lying around at home that can be diverted to boat use. Makes the sails smell nice for a day or two but the reduction in friction lasts much longer.

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[Graham_Wright]

There is on the market a PTFE based lubricant.

I can't remember the trade name but Rob Kemp of Kemp sails recommended it and I am sure he will advise. Very importantly it does not stain the sails

<hr width=100% size=1>GBW

 

[Robin]

On our previous boat with a fully battened main and a double plastic T thinghy like yours we used an old fashioned beeswax polish, put a large dollop on the top one and pull it up and down, then a small dollop on each one. Worked very well and lasted a season as well as smelling nice. On our current boat we have a fb main too but on Selden roller bearing mast cars, VERY effective but also very expensive, fortunately ours came with the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[alan]

Luffshuttle (made in Italy) are "reasonably" priced cars for this purpose. They cost about €50 each and come with a selection of bits that enable you to select the correct type for your mast. See their web site. I bought some for my full-batten main and they work a teat. Otherwise as already suggested there are silicon sprays which you can find in most swindlers.

Alan.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[dralex]

Silicon spray works really well, but also, how much resistance does your main halyard give? I changed mine to a dyneema 10mm one ( ie thinner and lighter) and the main drops like a stone now, when I originally thought it was the friction from the slides. Worth thinking about, especailly given the cost of ball bearing batten cars.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Guest]

I hate my sail slugs ..... (as you term sliders) ...... one day I will revert my main to luff rope and groove .....

Tried all sorts of recc'd sprays etc. etc. and still they jam / lodge / stick etc. Its not the halyard as you can see clearly the offending slug as it sticks ....

One day ........

<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[mikesharp]

Yes, the silicone spray should work but are your sliders the right size? I've had experience of too small a size fitted and they stuck all the time.

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[Bodach na mara]

Luff rope? You must be kidding! Sticking luff ropes, kinks as you try to hoist, main all streaming out downwind whan lowered, I'll stick to slides.

<hr width=100% size=1>Ken Johnson

 

[Lotteryloser]

Furntiure polish spray works brilliantly on curtain rails, so sounds very logical.........do you have to wear marigolds and an apron whilst applying though? I wouldn't want to look silly!!

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[NDG]

I have used Teflon spray (designed for use near fabrics I think - non-staining) and the main comes down in about 0.5 secs - I have to slow it on the winch all the way to the bottom. It smells nice too.

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[bruce]

perhaps i don't understand, but 't'slides are for sail track use as i understand them, you may have the wrong type of slides if your mast is grooved for a ropeluff sail that may not use a 't' slide.

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[BlueChip]

You can get PTFE spray lubricant from a sailmaker for approx £13 for a small can...or get a large 400ml spray can from Screwfix for about £6 - its sold for lubricating saw blades - works great on sail slides and other moving parts

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[dickh]

I had this problem when I got my boat about 7 years ago; my local sailmaker Parker & Kays at Suffolk Yacht Harbour replaced the original white plastic sliders with larger black plastic which works very well - it is a fully battened mainsail though. The sliders at each batten end was these black ones and the intermediate ones were the white plastic but with a loose webbing connection. The secret I think is to have the sail loosely fitted to the slider.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[greatspirit]

Try Vaseline...

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[MIKE_MCKIE]

I use candle wax on the slugs/sliders/whatever & it works a treat. Also cheap, easy to get, easy to use, etc etc. I also use on the luff rope of the roller reefing genoa, for same reason. A little rubbed into the lower (reachable) parts of the luff groove also helps.
Best of luck with whatever you use.
Mike

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[R32Stbrigid]

PTFE Dry film lubricant, available from RS components www.rswww.com. Used it for years, sail virtually falls down when the halyard is released ......

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[DJE]

Just wrap the can in duct tape as soon as you get it down to the boat. Stops you looking silly and stops the domestic authorities noticing you have nicked it.

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