Adding slugs to the factory main sail.

Obelix · Post by **Obelix** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:25 pm

To be able to raise and lower the main from the cockpit, I want to add slugs to the luff on my 2008

.
How many slugs are needed and at what distance from each other should they be mounted?

As always, thank you for your insights.

James V · Post by **James V** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:02 pm

There is a lot of threads on this via Search -
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/searc ... de=results

Unless you know what you are doing it might be better to take the main to a sail loft (somebody who works on sails). The botton is the hardest as you will need to put in a rope system to get the sail down far enough. Check the mods on this.

deja_vu · Post by **deja_vu** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:58 pm

Just finished adding them using the KH kit. The instructions are't quite right, ifyou space them anywhere close to 12" you'll end up running out of slugs a little after 13'. Anyway spaced 18" apart per some of the other posts you'll use all 15 in the kit. Took a whopping 25 minutes to do. I took some pictures so when I get a chance I'll do write up. Very easy to do.

Obelix · Post by **Obelix** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:33 pm

That was the reason why I asked, I got the KH kit but the instructions made no sense at all. Either you run out of slugs after 13' and need additional parts or the recommended spacing had to be wrong. I'm still thinking what to do on the bottom, since the rope-channel is cut of for about 1 foot on the bottom on 2008 masts.

Thank you everyone that chimed in.

Jurgen

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:30 am

Can one of you guys list what comes in that $39 kit from KHM? I will need one for my new sail that I got from KHE.

If I have some of the kit already (like a sail slug stopper) I wonder if it would be cheaper to order the other pieces seperately from a marine supply place (life Defender).

Thanks,
Jim

live2shift · Post by **live2shift** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:12 am

My 26M came with them in all holes except the reef point, do you guys usually put one in there?

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:22 am

What holes are you talking about?

Jim

parrothead · Post by **parrothead** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:03 am

Some sail slug kits employ grommets [creating holes in the leading edge of the sail], some do not.

No slide is installed at the reef point, since it gets slipped over the reefing hook at the side of the gooseneck, becoming the tack of the reefed sail.

Obelix · Post by **Obelix** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:31 pm

C130 King,

The kit includes 15 slugs, 15 shakles, 15 screws and a sail-stop.

Jurgen

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:32 pm

Thanks.

I just ordered 20 3/8" slugs and 20 5/8" shackles from sailrite. Total was $25 plus shipping.

Probably don't need 20 but will have a few spares.

I will forego the grommets and just use the screws through the material behind the bolt rope.

Jim

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:08 pm

c130king wrote: Probably don't need 20 but will have a few spares.
I will forego the grommets and just use the screws through the material behind the bolt rope.
Jim

The spares you will absolutely eventually need - - - you will break some plastic shackels.

Guys; if he forgoes the grommets won't the sail rip apart at that edge - - - will it last

Rick

c130king · Post by **c130king** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:11 pm

My current sail does not have grommets...at least I am pretty sure it doesn't. Haven't seen it in nearly a year but I think I would remember if it had that many grommets.

And I read some other posts (search on "sail slugs") and seems like several others went that route as well.

Jim

deja_vu · Post by **deja_vu** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:15 pm

The screw ones have a post that you place right off the bolt rope, all the tension will then end up on the bolt rope and not the screw, I'll try to post the pics I took tomorrow.

TAW02 · Post by **TAW02** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:00 pm

I have an M and I screwed 20 of those suckers (shakles) into my sail boltrope area. Hope I didn't overdue.

Big T

PS, I put one every 16" and like I said, I used 'em all. All 20 that I bought!

Oiy Veh!

tangentair · Post by **tangentair** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:01 pm

Bill from Boats4sail rigged mine as part of his upgrade package and they worked fine all last year. They are 24 inches between until just above the reef point then the next is 24 inches from the reef point to the base. The tip has 2 closely spaced. Pictures follow:
The sail looks like this:

the Tip has two closely spaced at 5 and 9 inches from tip

the rest are 24 inches on center

down to just above the reefong point

starts again 24 inches below the reef point

and is 27 inches to the final one

to the base of the sail.

And yes Jim he uses grommets.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Adding slugs to the factory main sail.

Adding slugs to the factory main sail.

sail slugs - Reef point

Spares

20 pieces screwed in