The best stopper for sail-slugs

[Halcyon]

G'day,

I'm new to this sailing thing and still learing heaps - mostly off this forum, so thanks to you all.

I am installing sail-slugs on my 26X and can't work out the best 'stopper' to use on the mast - to stop the slugs from coming out. I've read as many threads as I can find and one suggested drilling a hole in the mast and installing a bolt and wing-nut. Is this the best? Seems a bit toooo easy to me.

I've been on boats for nearly 30 years but new to sail. Wish I had started years ago. Thanks in advance.

Brian,
Halcyon.

[Craig LaForce]

They sell a little jam device with a thumb wheel screw for this purpose. Porblem is that it falls overboard easily. So either carry a spare or make a little leash for it.

Anything works though, I've heard people using bungee cord, various screws, little gate devices in the track. captive ball clevis pins, you name it.

I use the little thumb screw jam thing. Only dropped it overboard once. SInce you have too remove it when you add or remove a reef, it is good to have it be a quick operation whatever you choose.

http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=72529F

[ALX357]

the little thumb screw stopper ..... immediately when you loosen it, slide it downward into the track below the opening, slide it down to rest on the boom gooseneck, or tighten it just below the opening. This avoids it ever being out of the track, and it won't be going swimming.

[DLT]

the little thumb screw stopper ..... immediately when you loosen it, slide it downward into the track below the opening, slide it down to rest on the boom gooseneck, or tighten it just below the opening. This avoids it ever being out of the track, and it won't be going swimming.

This is exactly what I do.

However, if you want "tooo easy", Scott will chime in here with pictures of his "line" method. Scott just ties a small line around the mast, under the lowest slug, and over the cleats on either side. If you loose it, hull its just a piece of line... It costs MUCH less than the thumb screw stopper... It doesn't require any irreversible drilling...

[Halcyon]

Thank you all,

That's what I like about this site. Not only good info - but so quick.
Now I know what to do.

Thanks again.

Brian,
Halcyon

[DLT]

SInce you have too remove it when you add or remove a reef

This has been beaten to death, so I'll just poke it with a stick...IF your slugs are spaced "properly", then no you don't have to touch the stopper when reefing. I only touch mine when taking the mainsail off the boat...

"properly", as used here, does not mean uniform. You need to leave significant extra space either side of the reef point.

[baldbaby2000]

After loosing a couple, even when I think they're tight, I tie my stopper on with a short lanyard.

On my Mac 25 I just drilled a hole through the track below the slugs but above the opening and got a cheap pin from the hardware store and pushed it through.

BB

[pokerrick1]

Halcyon - - a bolt and wing nut will work just fine - - - not too easy. 's come with built in stopper - - - it just bolts right through the flange on the mast.

Rick

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

After I lost my first stopper in the drink, I went to the line method, very simple, just a short piece of 1/4 inch line wrapped around the mast above the cleats, holds fine and probably takes 10 seconds longer to untie than undoing the stopper. Btw, you need to screw that stopper down pretty hard or else it comes free.

[Halcyon]

Thanks again,

I think I have the idea. Now to think of another question........I'll be back.

[Night Sailor]

Welcome aboard Brian of Halcyon. It's questions like yours that help us all to be a lot smarter in the long run. Thinking ahead and planning for contingencies is the mark of a good boat person, whether on a diet of wind or fuel.

[ChrisNorton]

I've always used the ultra-cheap method of taking a small gauge piece of rope, passing it underneath both mast cleats (conveniently at the right height on the mast to catch the sail slugs) and tie a knot on the front of the mast. Works perfectly, no need to remove it when reefing, and it costs nothing.

[Morimaro]

was going to put in my five pennuth with a screw two washers and a wingnut but then saw the string/rope solution and decided I would sling the screw etc and get some string. Six years with the X and still learning something new, thanks guys.

[rockman]

I use a piece of bungee (elastic cord) with a hook on one end and a loop at the other. Takes all of 5 seconds to put it on or take it off - no knots or screws - plus only cost $2 (australian - thats $1.50 US - and changing every day).

[Scott]

I use a piece of cord over the cleats.