Newbie needs advice :-)

[First Mate Ellen]

We were out sailing this past weekend with the main reefed due to some pretty good gusts coming from time to time. (Mountain lake sailing = unpredictable winds) We were starting to coming about and a heavy wind filled up the sail just as we were coming about and snapped off the sliders that attach the mainsail to the mast. 10 of these sliders just snapped off almost like someone whose trousers rip when they bend over or when buttons pop off the front of a blouse that's too tight. Just the halyard shackle was holding the main at the top, the lower part was reefed to the boom and the rest of it was blowing aroundlike crazy until I brought it down.

First, what do you call these plastic sliders?
How often do they need to be replaced?
Where do I order replacements?
Is this something that happens frequently with these sliders or is it just something that happens to novices like us?

Your comments are appreciated!
Ellen

[beene]

Hi Ellen

They are called sail track slides.
Mine have never popped or broken.
Have sailed in high winds, nil probs.
Here is a pick of mine.....





Cheers

G

[Richard O'Brien]

Hi Ellen

I lost mine a few years ago too. It was a sudden accidental gybe that got me. I would get the steel and nylon ones instead of just the nylon. I'll bet you won't get got like that again. when the wind picks up, make sure you pull your traveler to center, or at least hard up. Then, if you suddenly are forced into the wind, your boom won't come crashing across the cockpit. That is what happened to you I suspect? Once headed upwind you can lower your sail and reef it, or just furl your foresail. After a few times these motions become second nature.

Good sailing, Richard

[First Mate Ellen]

Hi Ellen

I lost mine a few years ago too. It was a sudden accidental gybe that got me. I would get the steel and nylon ones instead of just the nylon. I'll bet you won't get got like that again. when the wind picks up, make sure you pull your traveler to center, or at least hard up. Then, if you suddenly are forced into the wind, your boom won't come crashing across the cockpit. That is what happened to you I suspect? Once headed upwind you can lower your sail and reef it, or just furl your foresail. After a few times these motions become second nature.

Good sailing, Richard

Thanks Richard,
The travelers was in the center, with the lines locked in the "crabclaws" (I don't know what you call those) we were only using the main and it was reefed. The force did pull the boom across the cockpit and then the mainsail sliders split loose. Do you know where to purchase the steel and nylon sliders? A gybe you say?

[beene]

Sail slugs...

http://www.sailrite.com/Categories/Slugs

etc....

West Marine also sells them.

G

[First Mate Ellen]

Sail slugs...

http://www.sailrite.com/Categories/Slugs

etc....

West Marine also sells them.

G

Thanks beene,
I see by your pictures that yours are the nylon and steel type slugs/sliders. The kind we had were all nylon. Guess we will give the nylon & steel type a try, don't want to have that experience again. Thanks for the links Ellen

[First Mate Ellen]

Would anyone happen to know what size slug/slider would be needed? Our boat is moored on a buoy at the lake and I could go out and check myself, just thought maybe someone might know what size is standard for a 2005 26M and save me a trip. I have a piece of what broke off and that is 1/4", not sure if the part that goes inside is the same size as the part that is outside the track. Thanks again. Ellen

[Frank C]

... The travelers was in the center, with the lines locked in the "crabclaws" (I don't know what you call those)

They're called cam cleats.
Welcome ab'd, Ellen.

[First Mate Ellen]

... The travelers was in the center, with the lines locked in the "crabclaws" (I don't know what you call those)

They're called cam cleats.
Welcome ab'd, Ellen.

Thanks Frank. Like a said I'm a newbie and my MacGregor "manual" doesn't cover all that much.

[Newell]

I have been told that when the center reefing ties are too tight it brings additional force to the middle of the standing sail the extra stress may have caused the slides to separate, I have also heard of the sail ripping out.

Newell
Fast Sunday 96X

[Loala]

Ellen,

Did the sail track slides actually break or did they tear away from the mainsail?

Sounds like the thread attaching them to the sail was compromised...

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I wonder if they are the right size, if they are too small for the slot, then perhaps they would rip out like that. I think i have the all nylon ones and they have held well, even during a couple crash jibes.

[c130king]

Ellen,

Check out this thread for more info on sail slugs including the size for a 2005 .

I have some questions about what happened to your slugs. How were yours connected to the sails? With grommets or just screwed through the material behind the bolt rope? And where did the nylon/plastic piece break or did they rip out of the sail?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Good Luck,
Jim

[cosandman]

One of the wonderful things about sailing in the Rocky Mountain Front Range are the variable wind gusts and T-storms that keep you on your toes.
A few weeks ago I too lost a couple nylon sail slugs (my mainsail has grommets) when a sudden T-storm downdraft changed my wind direction 180 degrees on Lake Pueblo. I hadn't reefed yet and still had some "working jib" on my furled genny. The mainsail snapped pretty hard.
I quickly headed into the wind w/ the admiral at the helm and dropped all sheets and motored back to the marina.
Steel/nylon sail slugs sound like a great idea...

Tom
cosandman

[NiceAft]

Would anyone happen to know what size slug/slider would be needed?

Ellen,

If you your track stop (for preventing the slugs from sliding down and out or their track) is the round type, you can use that as a reference to acquiring new slugs.

Ray