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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Advice Needed - Broke Top Sail Slide

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keats
Navigator

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USA
215 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/16/2019 : 08:08:18

We had a dream sail on the lake Friday evening, a seven mile reach on single tack to our favorite overnight anchorage. We averaged 4.8 kts, often hitting 6, in steady winds with no heavy gusts. I felt like we were flying the whole way.

Of course, you do have to pay for these moments. Preparing to raise the sail the next morning (it had come down in the dark) I noticed two broken slides on the mainsail. So we motored back

.

The slide below the one pictured was easily repaired with replacement slugs on hand but I'm not sure of the best way to tackle this one.

I feel my options are:

a) Take the sail to a loft and have it repaired (not desirable due to time and distance).

b) Take sail home and repair it myself by stitching in a new slide by hand (not that handy with the needle but I'll do it).

c) Something I can do on the boat to replace all or part of what is left there (like removing the broken plastic piece and installing some new type of slide without removing the stitching).

I want the repair to be permanent and to preserve the purpose of the original setup, which seems to be designed to hold the top plate in line with the axis of the mast.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tim Keating
1985 C-25 TR/FK #4940
Midsummer
Lake Don Pedro, CA

Edited by - keats on 06/16/2019 08:09:05

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 09:21:12

I would cut the old webbing off and install this type. I have them on my sail and changing a slug is a 10 min. procedure. https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-250/sails/hardware/sail-slide-stainless-amp-shackle-set/

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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1889 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 09:46:13

I agree with Scott. Note also that the slug in his photo includes a cast-in stainless steel reinforcing bail, surrounded by nylon where it would otherwise contact the aluminum mast. The soft clear plastic padding is also a nice touch. Obviously, that top most slug gets the heaviest load and the most wear. There are available extra heavy duty versions of the type in Scott's photo, with longer cylindrical portion inside the groove, specifically intended for use near the head, reef tacks, and clew.

When I first encountered those webbed-on slugs/slides, I immediately thought "Good luck repairing one of those out on the water." The only advantages I see to the all plastic slugs sewn on with webbing are slightly less noise when luffing, and lower initial cost. (I suspect the latter being the manufacturer's primary motive for using them.)

I've used a similar soft attachment method on smaller boats which is easier to repair. Lash the slide/slug/hank on with strong polyester thread. (The sort which is sold saturated with beeswax.) Then carry at least a few feet of it and maybe a large sewing needle aboard. If you're curious, look up illustrations of the technique.

� Leon

� Leon Sisson

keats
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USA
215 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 09:55:43

Thanks to you both. All of the slides below the top plate are replaceble, albeit plastic on both sides. I will replace them with the style shown in that picture above. Seems like cheap insurance against unzipping the whole sail.

But you can see that the sewn-in slide at the head of my sail goes through an eye that is further back from the luff. I'm not sure a standard slide fitting is deep enough to reach it. I'll give it a try or maybe improvise with a deeper shackle.

Tim Keating
1985 C-25 TR/FK #4940
Midsummer
Lake Don Pedro, CA

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 11:08:36

Tim, I should have mentioned that the shackles come in different lengths. You don't have to buy the CD version. You can measure the distance from the edge of the grommet to the edge of the sail to get the proper length shackle. Sailrite has a good selection but I would call CD and ask how long the shackle is that they sell. Those people are VERY helpful.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

keats
Navigator

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USA
215 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 13:48:06

Thanks for that Scott, sounds like an excellent solution and I can do it on the boat. Catalina Direct is pretty close to me and I actually know someone there!

Tim Keating
1985 C-25 TR/FK #4940
Midsummer
Lake Don Pedro, CA

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3474 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2019 : 16:14:34

Lube your sail track.

I wonder if that might be a good application for a soft shackle? I imagine it would be difficult to get just the right length, but on the headboard it might be a quick repair as a backup.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - redeye on 06/16/2019 16:18:22

dasreboot
Admiral

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803 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2019 : 04:18:19

you can also just cut the webbing and use whipping twine to lash it back on. make a lot of turns and it will be plenty strong.

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.