Mast gates, guides and slugs etc etc

[wombat88]

I'm in the process of changing from a main with a luff bolt rope to one with slugs.

The mast (Z Spars) has a bolt rope guide on it and I want the slugs to stay in the slot...so...I need to remove the bolt rope guide (which I hope is possible) and replace it with some sort of gate that will keep the slugs in the slot. I had thought of simply putting a pin through the slot above the guide which would do the job but it a fair way above the boom making stowage etc untidy. I want the slugs to drop right down to boom level if at all possible.

I'm sure others have done this before so would appreciate any advice.

 

[savageseadog]

Z Spars will have something. They're normally inexpensive for spares.

 

[ithet]

I want the slugs to drop right down to boom level if at all possible.

Z Spars will have something. They're normally inexpensive for spares.

The Z Spars standard retainer is just a plastic block that fills the gate cutout, and holds the slugs above it. I have a similar issue as I have batten cars that I want to run through as they too heavy for the plastic block to hold.

I spoke to the very helpful Z-Spars UK and they can supply a hinged metal plate that fits on the outside of the gate, this should work with slugs OK, however it was not suitable for me as the cars would not pass over it.

The following pictures were supplied by Z-Spars UK:

 

[Egbod]

I had the same problem and made a plate for each side from off cuts of spreader section aluminium from Z spar that ended up less intrusive and work with my sail slugs. If you pm me your email I will send some pictures.

 

[greeny]

Tried a couple of off the shelf gates on my z-spar mast but found the slugs hung up on them and didn't drop through and more annoyingly hung up when hoisting. I finished up making my own from some aluminium door threshhold plate that had a suitable cross section. It took a few attempts and prototypes but it works well now. Ok its not quick release but how often do you need to take the slugs out of the slot. Mine just needs the 4 fixing screws removing and the slugs fall out as before.

 

[pagoda]

Tried a couple of off the shelf gates on my z-spar mast but found the slugs hung up on them and didn't drop through and more annoyingly hung up when hoisting. I finished up making my own from some aluminium door threshhold plate that had a suitable cross section. It took a few attempts and prototypes but it works well now. Ok its not quick release but how often do you need to take the slugs out of the slot. Mine just needs the 4 fixing screws removing and the slugs fall out as before.

We had the same mast gate plate shown from ZSpars. It replaced an earlier gate plate that had gone ker-ding splash...
Anyway I found I needed to shave a tiny bit off each nylon slug to make sure it would pass the new gate easily. Particularly the larger slugs at the root of the battens. Very little material needed removed- just chamfering, but it had to be done. You rarely need access so making up your own gate plate to suit looks almost as easy.
Z Spars UK were thoroughly helpful when sourcing the lost gate.

Our current Jeanneau has a Selden mast - with an entirely different style, though it still does the same job.

 

[eilerts]

Had a similar problem last year, but from a different reason. I bought a new main and found that the batten cars would not pass the gate. Modifying the gate did not work, so I made a new gate from GRP. My plan was to make it from a aluminium square profile, but I could not find the proper dimension. I started with a slightly smaller square stick, wrapped several layers of plastic around, and then glass. Did not work out that easy as the glass does not like sharp corners, had to clamp it two ways. After curing I removed the stick, sawed the slot and shaped the outside. Fixed with two screws. Has worked well.
Finding a suitable aluminium profile would have made the process easier, but it was fun doing it, and see it work.
This was for a Selden mast. Could it still solve your problem?

Here is a pictures of the mast, and of the box of the old gate and the new GRP gate

 

[zoidberg]

We had the same mast gate plate shown from ZSpars.
Z Spars UK were thoroughly helpful when sourcing the lost gate..... Our current Jeanneau has a Selden mast - with an entirely different style, though it still does the same job.

Allan Murray, their General Manager, is both knowledgeable and most helpful..... 01473 822130

 

[wombat88]

Thanks for all your suggestions, before I do anything can anyone show or describe to me the type of profile of door threshold plate that is the favoured option?

Regarding reefing you are right, no need to take slugs out of groove.

 

[pagoda]

Thanks for all your suggestions, before I do anything can anyone show or describe to me the type of profile of door threshold plate that is the favoured option?

Regarding reefing you are right, no need to take slugs out of groove.

The plate we lost - prior to the stainless one shown above, was a small alloy casting of similar size and shape. Identical function, It didn't foul any slugs as it's profile was much smoother.

 

[Daydream believer]

Could you not find a piece of aluminium tube that fitted inside the groove at the mast gate. Cut a slot in it. Expand it by putting a screw driver or wooden wedge in the cut when it was inside the slot & then put 2 self tapping screws, one each side to hold it open.
You could find a fairly thin piece of tube as it would not be taking much load.
To get the sail out remove the 2 screws & prize the tube out.
It would have to be twisted to get it in & the slot would have to be slid over one side & the rotated but may well go in

 

[ithet]

Could you not find a piece of aluminium tube that fitted inside the groove at the mast gate. Cut a slot in it. Expand it by putting a screw driver or wooden wedge in the cut when it was inside the slot & then put 2 self tapping screws, one each side to hold it open.
You could find a fairly thin piece of tube as it would not be taking much load.
To get the sail out remove the 2 screws & prize the tube out.
It would have to be twisted to get it in & the slot would have to be slid over one side & the rotated but may well go in

The issue as I understand is that the Z-Spars profiles have a much smaller and shallower slot than Selden masts, so there is probably not enough room to put in an insert and still leave room for the slugs. If it has been successfully done I wouod be very interested.

 

[Daydream believer]

Might be able to slide it in from the bottom if there is no obstruction at the gooseneck. then to get the slugs out slide it down a bit.
A plastic tube might work but there are loads of things made of thin tubes that could be cut

 

[UK-WOOZY]

the boat i got a year ago has a z-spar Z351 mast. I have had to replace the gooseneck, get a new reef hook, sheaves, mast foot blocks and mainsail gate. they have been very helpful and affordable on all occasions and they seem to have spares for all parts and masts.

 

[savageseadog]

Also consider if different slugs can be used

 

[rgarside]

The Z Spars standard retainer is just a plastic block that fills the gate cutout, and holds the slugs above it. I have a similar issue as I have batten cars that I want to run through as they too heavy for the plastic block to hold.

I spoke to the very helpful Z-Spars UK and they can supply a hinged metal plate that fits on the outside of the gate, this should work with slugs OK, however it was not suitable for me as the cars would not pass over it.

Did you look at the Bainbridge Sailman 3500 batten slides? If they are suitable for your boat they will slide past that type of gate.