Broken Sail Slides

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thinwater
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Broken Sail Slides

Post by thinwater »

I was sailing in 10-15 knots, having a good old time. Got my 32 up to 9 knots with the chute; that was rather a story in itself. The PO had only 1 sheet for the sail (and too short to ease it all of the way at that, perhaps 20 feet - and no bowsprit or other special attachment point for the tack. They would simply tie the tack line to a railing, and if they needed to jibe, they would lower the sail and re-hoist on the new tack! They would use the genoa blocks for the sheet, so they would also have to re-thread that.

So I rigged a proper bridle for the tack, found a couple of long sheets, and made new chute block attachments further aft. All the difference.

What I broke was 6 sail slugs. I didn't realize it until the main came down sloppy. Do we as a group think it was age, poor sail handling (no jibes all day - only tacks), or some odd strain. I did lower the sail a bit off the centerline, but it was not in a bind and came right down. I have never strained hoisting either, using the winch only for final tension. I suspect they snapped underway and I did not notice.

The PO did have some spares - not a first occurrence I gather. Also, the line of snapped plastic slugs STOPPED when it got to a metal/plastic slug, the only one of the type in the mast. Would switching to the plastic/metal slides be smart, or am I going to scar the track? Also, the metal/plastic slug had a shackle instead of a tape lashing - thoughts?

Thanks.
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