Sail Slides vs Bolt Rope ??

[skyking]

I currently use the bolt rope to attach the main sail to the mast. As most of you know this is not the preferred method. I was looking at everyones pictures that I could find here on the forum, to see if I can figure out how many slides should be used? and how far apart they should be?

My biggets headache is at the end of the day when lowering the main, it wants to blow out like a hot air balloon...

Any suggestions would be appriciated...

[Mario G]

Tim the main on my C-22 has 9 eyelets every 23 inches that hold the sliders. I haven't seen a main that doesn't use the sliders, If yours didn't come whith the eyelets then you might want to keep an eye on e-bay for another sail. The eylets, sliders and the holders will cost more then alot of sails I've seen.

Let me know iif you need pictures of the setup.

[Banshi]

Mine had cloth straps holding the slugs on and were worn out including some that were broken. I ordered plastic screw on shackles from sailrite and new slugs to replace them all. It was easy fairly cheap and after two years are holding up well including plenty of sailing in heavy winds.
I added a few extra beyond what the sail had originally for added safety

http://www.sailrite.com/Screw-on-Plastic-Shackle-5-8

[kokezaru]

I currently use the bolt rope to attach the main sail to the mast. As most of you know this is not the preferred method.

Actually, every race boat that I have been on uses the bolt rope to attach both the main and the jib, and is definately the preferred method. I believe it is a much stronger attachment method. That being said, cruisers tend to be easier on their sails, and prefer the ability to drop the sail quickly and leave it on the boom, which racers never do.


--Richard

[LeatherneckPA]

Actually, every race boat that I have been on uses the bolt rope to attach both the main and the jib, --Richard

OK, showing my ignorance here, but how do they use a bolt rope on a job? Doesn't it just get hauled up the forstay?

[kokezaru]

A racing foil is attached to the forestay, which has a track that the luff rope slides into. You can see a picture here on the west marine website:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10226

--Richard

[LeatherneckPA]

And THAT really makes that big a difference in boat speed and time?

[Banshi]

In a finely tuned racing boat that makes the money we spend look frugal,yes......for us it is more trouble than it is worth. After you feed that main through your boom the first time you'll understand why

[skyking]

[/quote]
Actually, every race boat that I have been on uses the bolt rope to attach both the main and the jib, and is definately the preferred method. I believe it is a much stronger attachment method. That being said, cruisers tend to be easier on their sails, and prefer the ability to drop the sail quickly and leave it on the boom, which racers never do.


--Richard[/quote]

Okay, I guess the bolt rope is preferred for racers, but myself as a cruiser, I'm looking for the easy way out when dropping the sail.

Thank all of you for your advise.I will get the slides & screw on shackles for this weekend.

[LeatherneckPA]

In a finely tuned racing boat that makes the money we spend look frugal,yes......for us it is more trouble than it is worth. After you feed that main through your boom the first time you'll understand why

Just curious, why wouldn't I feed the bolt rope onto the boom first, then feed the slides up the mast and finally attach the gooseneck? That's what I do with my LS-16.

[Banshi]

You certainly could though you'll probably find having the boom in place (preferably with a topping lift holding it up for you) is less.........................complicated.

[surveywaters]

Anyone happen to know the size of the main slide slugs on a 26'? My boat is over an hour away and I forgot to measure for replacement.

[Banshi]

The mast on the 22 and 26 are the same size and I use 3/8 slugs. You could probably go up a size though. I am sure someone with a 26 will chime in as to what they are using.