Mainsail conversion to slugslides

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Nidri240

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Following my earlier post regarding singlehanded mainsail handling, I have decided to modify my main from boltrope to slugslides. My question is this: Has anyone else made this conversion? If so did you have the sail modified to remove the boltrope or did you simply attach slugslides leaving the boltrope in place?

I guess what I am really asking is whether this is a DIY job or do I need to take the sail to a sailmaker for conversion?

All advice very welcome!

Giles
 
mainmarine, please post rather than PM !

I too would be interested in how to convert boltrope to slides. We are considering changing old-fashioned roller reefing to a lazyjack & stakpak system. Obviously the friction of the boltrope in the mast groove would prevent the sail dropping down without physicaly hauling it down. I have seen an add-on to convert the boltrope groove into a sailslide track. I am also wondering how much this will add to the foot of the sail. Anything more than a few inches and my boom will need to be longer !

Anyone know how difficult it is to add reefing cringles to a mainsail as a DIY job ? Would that be all I need to do or is there more to it ?
 
Any good sail-loft or chandlers

They can supply slugs to fit existing mast groove in various sizes.

Leaving the bolt-rope in place is excedllent as it gives added strength to the slug to sail fitting. It also provides the "stiffening" and support to carry the halyard tension.

There are various ways to fit them .... there are ones with one-click fastening to put through small eyes, ther are ones you can sew with sail-tape / webbing or with suitable small gauge thread.

My sail had small eyes fitted to take the slugs .... but is not necessary. You can actually sew through the sail and back of the bolt-rope if you wish.
 
Couple of piccies that may help ....

First here are my slugs ... these are one-time click-together ones, higher up I had to replace one or two and used ones that have a small self-tapper screw ..... They fit through small eyes in the sail ....

29-7-99017.jpg


Just below the bottom slug - you can just make out the alloy-plate that stops them coming out of the wider slot ....

Next photo shows the sail foward end (luff) all bunched up and unable to sit lower as the slugs all bang-up on top of each other...... so you may have to modify or change your sail-cover to accommodate this extra "mess" .... I also find that it makes tidying up the sail for boom stowage much harder ... you would think that the folds induced by the slugs would be better ?? nope !!....

s-anne05-07-02.jpg


Have you looked around other boats with and without them ?? Chatted with the owners ?

(I have to admit that I hate mine ..... !)
 
These are what I used a few years back when converting our old 26'-er to sail slides. The screw type (HA249) are easy to fit to the sail, the 2 small screws just holding them in place behind the bolt rope, which takes the load. Simple DIY job, but you need to consider the positions & spacing between them carefully to ensure good sail shape, also make sure you avoid them bunching too high in the mast groove when lowered.
 
Re: Couple of piccies that may help ....

I'm interested in the alloy plate. did you make it? Is the back of your mast round or flat? How thick is the alloy? Please feel free to answer any relevant questions that I didn't ask. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Couple of piccies that may help ....

I would suggest you try using the bolt rope in the mast groove first for your stacker system. i guess you know now how much friction tyhhere is in the bolt rope in the groove system but i certainly prefer the bolt rope.
I especially don't like the slugs for the problem of folded sail up the mast above the boom and the problems of letting out some of the slugs when reefing. You couldn't reef wekll with the spare sail on slugs still in the mast.
if you go for slugs I would suggest you sew them on around the bolt rope with whipping twine and a big needle. The twine may fray but at least for min cost you can decide if you like the slugs. They will extend the foot by about 1 inch. or at least should if you move the tack attachment aft to keep the luff in a straight line. Simillarly the head slug if existing needs to be extended out from the mast by 1 inch. Note you need a decent slug at the head when using bolt rope if you sail reefed because the bolt rope usually cannot handle the strain out of the track when the head is down from the mast top. (it is not supported by the halyard into the track as it is when the sail is right up) give t all a try good luck olewill
 
Re: Couple of piccies that may help ....

For reefing ease, ensure that the lower slides are attached midway between reef cringles, otherwise you'll have to let some of the slides out of the groove to get the cringle down to the reefing horns which is a total PITA.
 
Plate ...

No the plate was fitted to the mast by previous owner .... it looks made by a professional as it is quite thick and well contoured. It sits well on the mast curvature.
In this picture you can see that there is a matching plate on other side of the groove .... to be honest I cannot see why as the portside one is fixed, unlike other side that has the bolt.

The fitting is held in place by one central bolt with a large knurled head..... supposed I think to be hand useable ... but as I don't move it often - needs grips ..
Thegroove has been cut and faced off professionally as well to allow the slugs to exit / fit once plate is removed.
I would think there must be a backing threaded plate inside the mast to take the thread ...

Photo .....

SOLENT3.jpg


(Photo is us getting out into Solent to meet up with Tall Ships a few years ago .....)

The mast is a standard oval Proctor .... as you would find on Centaurs / Colvics ... eg similar size boat of 25 - 26ft. In fact I have an idea that it came from a centaur ... as it has the through mast boom handle etc. and similar style etc.

To be honest - without actually having you and mast in front of me its difficult to describe clearly.
 
What size slugs do you need. I have a set of H91 I think they are, too big for my mast slot. They were on my new main when it was delivered, they are complete with the sail clip part, though opened once to remove from the sail.

They are up for grabs FOC if you would like them, anyone else if they are not needed in this instance. I will not be able to confirm size until I get to the boat next.
 
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