Maintenance - Reefing Mainsail

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Reefing Mainsail

Printed From: Laser 28 International Class Association
Category: Laser 28 General
Forum Name: Maintenance
Forum Description: All the things to care for your boat
URL: http://www.laser28.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=581
Printed Date: 23 November 2024 at 3:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Reefing Mainsail

Posted By: Guests
Subject: Reefing Mainsail
Date Posted: 19 July 2012 at 4:01pm

My main has slugs instead of using the bolt rope, and when having to reef, sometimes half the slugs escape, usually in heavy air. Is there something I can do to allow the slugs to slide by the opening rather than falling out? When I reverse the process, I have the same issue. I use a threaded knob to keep the slugs in-place when not reefing, but it slips a lot, and I usually only find out when raising the sail.

I know there is an easier way and I know someone out there knows it. As I sail and race PHRF, with no other Lasers around, you guys are my only hope!

Replies:

Posted By: frfletch
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 10:34am

I use a knurled, threaded sail stopper that I made for the purpose of holding my cruising main (with slugs) onto the mast so they don't escape the slot. If cruising and we are only using one reef, I just do not bother with taking the bottom slugs off the mast to make the bottom look good. Perhaps if we were really on a very long beat I might, but generally we don't.

i sometimes use the cruising main to race if it is blowing hard because I don't want to stress our racing main. In that case we do release the sail stopper and trim up the bottom of the luff properly.

I cannot think of any way to avoid this process.

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 11:02am

I use the same system. I was thinking there must be something that I could screw or bolt onto the mast to close (actually narrow) the slot, allowing the slugs to move through without dropping out.

Posted By: Mad Max
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 5:12pm

I have the slugs in Mad Max. My solution was to cut a piece of aluminum angle 3/4" to fit the gate. File one side down enough for to slugs to slide by (you just leave enough to match the mast). I then drilled two holes through the plate and taped the mast. You will also need to taper the ends of the plate to help the slugs slide by. It works great, once in a while a slug may catch but very seldom. This allows the main to drop all the way to the boom.

If this sounds confusing I can take pictures of the plate and send them to you

Dick

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Dick #122

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 5:31pm

Pics please!

Mike

Posted By: bal149
Date Posted: 20 July 2012 at 7:42pm

I use a velcro strap-such as to tie down patient's arms - around the mast-easy on easy off and no holes to drill