26X main sail slider question

[Brian-Up-North]

Hi,
I have a 1999 26X and my main sail slider diameter is 11 mm except at the top of the sail where the top foot has 7 mm sliders.

Do others have the same arrangement with narrow sliders at the top of the main or all your sliders the same diameter?

Thanks

[Tomfoolery]

That’s exactly how mine was. The small but long slide would bind when raising or lowering the main. So I changed it, and all the others for that matter, for larger slides that fit the groove better. No more binding.

Oh, and I retasked the old slides to holding the rope light across the end of my patio retractable awning. Fit that groove perfectly.

[DaveC426913]

2000 X here. All my sliders are the same.

[Tomfoolery]

I used 1/2" round nylon slugs, probably made by Bainbridge, with the white nylon screw type shackles. Like these, but came in packs of 5. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/bainbri ... rack-slide

West Marine doesn't seem to carry them any more, though that's where I got mine.

The 1/2" seem to slide much easier than the smaller ones that it came with. The top slug was even skinnier and would tilt and jamb constantly. I had to cut the stitching to remove that top one, but hand stitching the fabric shackle back together with the new slug was no big deal.

[DaveC426913]

Only loosely related, but if you're having trouble getting your mainsail down, might I suggest a downhaul?

I lashed a 1/8" line from the head clew down the mast to a block at the base, then back to a clam cleat next to the vang cleat.

Bringing the sail down is a cinch.

[opie]

Just a comment on downhaul.

It is, for me, VITAL!
Works so well to help bring mains'l down.
I connected mine to top slider instead of top of sail head. That prevents any hangups when the top of sail bends down due to tugging on downhaul.

[Tomfoolery]

I connected mine to top slider instead of top of sail head. That prevents any hangups when the top of sail bends down due to tugging on downhaul.

Some folks connect the downhaul line a slug or two lower. Depending on the slugs, mast groove, and sail, the top slug can bind a bit. Using a lower slug allows a little tension on the halyard to counter the downhaul and the slugs just sort of go for the ride.

It's a trial and error thing. On mine, the top slug was worse than no downhaul, but two slugs down works to perfection. I didn't try the second from the top slug. The little bit of sail that's left up doesn't matter.

[opie]

wow... that's good info....

[NiceAft]

Brian , Opie, etc.,

Another way to help in bringing down the main is simply tighten up the topping lift significantly before dropping the main. This reduces the lateral pull at the head of the luff.

If this works for you, you saved a few dollars.