Sail Slugs

[Diasan]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a brand of sail slug, size and where to purchase for my 05 26m I would also like to know how to attach them to the sail:macm:

[Richard O'Brien]

I didn;t install my shackles Diasan, so maybe somebody else can advise on that. You'll need 16-18 1/2" slugs. I got the all nylon kind to protect my sail from ripping, but the stainless embedded in nylon is likely stronger. The slugs are not attached to the main directly but are held by nylon shakles. these shackles are attached with screws driven through the sail. I'd purchase a few extra because they can break under sudden stress. My installer put the top one too close to the head, and that seems to encourage it too bind when I'm hoisting it. Here is a link I found:http://members.aol.com/tralrsailr/sailslug.html

[Paul S]

I had the local sail maker install them. They did a great job.



Paul

[delevi]

Unless you feel really comfortable working on sails, I would recommend having a sail maker do it. While you're at it, this would be a good time to have an intermediate reef point put in, if you don't already have one. Just my opionion.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

this is what i used to do mine.
i called them and they walked me thru it.
very happy with the results.
http://www.sailrite.com/Tips/Installati ... 0Slugs.htm

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90 TLDI

[Billy]

This is probably the cheapest and easiest slug to install. All those others look really good and I am sure are better. Not looking to argue. These too are from Sailrite. I let the screws pilot their way thru the sail cloth. After 3 years of aggressive sailing, I can't spot any problems. I wanted to do it myself so the placement of the slugs would allow me to reef the main without having to remove any slugs from the track. They work.

[img][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/ ... regorX.jpg[/img][/img]

[captin5317]

Sent mine in last week to Arena Yacht sales. Should have the sail back any day. $125.00 installed.
Bruce

[DLT]

Mine look exactly like Billy's.

Here's what I did, copied from an earlier post:

There is a post that talks about the spacing. But, what I did was simply install the slugs every two feet coming from the top, until I got close to the reef cringle. Then, I installed a few slugs coming up from the bottom (actually, you'll want to start several inches up from the bottom of the sail in order to get that bottom slug well into the track), until I got close to the cringle. I did this with the sail laid out on the ground.

I also "placed" a couple of slugs and shakles on the sail, but didn't "install" them, i.e. I didn't screw them together, so that they could slide along the sail.

Then, I moved to the boat and hoisted the sail. I played with the position of the "loose" slugs until I was able to reef without dropping any out of the track while minimizing the gap between the slugs around the cringle.

I did install two slugs a few inches apart, both top and bottom of this cringle gap, just to better distribute that load...

As far as knowing where to start at the top, I think I installed one just at the bottom of the headboard.

As for knowing where to start at the bottom, just mark a point a couple inches above where the slot widens to leave room for a stop. Alternatively, you can just guess and leave that bottom one loose, until you do your final fit on the boat...


The processed described, was my very first attempt at anything like this. All you need are the slugs, plastic shackles, a phillips screwdriver and just a little confidence in your own abilities... You'll get much improved sail handling and a significant sense of satisfaction...

[Night Sailor]

For occasional light air sailing maybe the screw only through the sail cloth might hold up, but who can tell when one day you must sail in a real blow to avoid disaster, so there is more than usual stress on the sail? I followed the sailrite advisor's suggestions for my main and before installing the screw type shackles with the stainless and nylon slugs, I installed nickel star grommets to prevent any tearing of the sail cloth itself. The installation is easy and inexpensive, and assures the best longevity, in any kind of weather situation.

Mark the location. draw a circle with a pencil inside the grommet for the hole. Use a hot electric solder iron and melt a hole through the cloth the size of your pencil mark. Insert grommet parts and compress, tool and hammer. Melting leaves no loose thread ends, as all are fused together. The star grommet is immensely strong and long wearing. A few minutes of time, a few bucks for grommets, creates priceless peace of mind.

Hope this helps.

[DLT]

I can't argue with the screw-on shackles possibly not being the "best" way to go...

All I can say, is that I haven't seen a problem. But, that is after rather limited use so...

But, keep in mind that the screw's primary function is to keep the shackel itself closed. The structure of the shackle abuts the bolt rope in the luff of the sail. In other words, its more of the shackle applying force to the bolt rope, than the screw applying force to the sail cloth...

Actually, one of the reasons for using the screw-on shackles if that you are making a rather small hole in nothing but sail cloth.

With the grommets, you are making a much larger hole in the sail cloth. If you are not careful with the placement of those grommets, you could actaully cut through the thread the holds the sail together...

Another issue is that most grommets are placed a bit further back than the shackles that I installed. This is judging from my limited experience, of course. But, since the force is applied to the grommets, then you are actually applying the force to the sail cloth itself, before the bolt rope.

I dunno, I don't have the experience to say which is really better. All I can say is that my way works fine for me...

Below is my invoice from Sailrite:

SL# ItemCode Item Description Qty Price Discount Amount
1 23319 Slug Nylon Round 3/8" (Each) 20 $0.40 $0.00 $8.00

2 3543 Sail Track Stop Round (Each) 1 $8.50 $0.00 $8.50

3 24105 Shackle Plastic Screw-On 5/8" 20 $0.80 $0.00 $16.00

Shipping & Handling $7.71

T o t a l $40.21

I actually have several (probably 5 or fewer) sets of slugs and shackles left over. So, you can certainly order 3 fewer and have enough. But, I didn't know how many I'd use and don't mind having spares...

For me, its hard to argue with spending only $40 to do such a simple job that would cost near $200 (at least upwards of $100), including shipping both ways, not to mention the boat's down time, to have someone else do...

[Paul S]

When I had the slugs put on our sails, the cost was like $80 labor and parts, actually cheaper than Macgregor would have charged.

[Chip Hindes]

When I had the slugs put on our sails, the cost was like $80 labor and parts, actually cheaper than Macgregor would have charged.

A niggling detail I admit, but I'm 99.9% sure sail slugs are strictly dealer installed, & not a factory option. They're not listed on the factory website, and I'm quite sure I recall Art Reiders of Havencraft telling me the sails were sent out for that mod. I don't have my original invoice handy, but I believe $85 is condsiderably less than I paid on my new '00X.

Where did you have yours done? I've been considering having a second reef added, and seems like you've found a reasonably priced sail loft. We've none in our area; in fact, with the exception of West Marine, all of the local places wouldn't be caught dead dealing in sailboat stuff.

[Paul S]

When I had the slugs put on our sails, the cost was like $80 labor and parts, actually cheaper than Macgregor would have charged.

A niggling detail I admit, but I'm 99.9% sure sail slugs are strictly dealer installed, & not a factory option.
.......
Where did you have yours done? I've been considering having a second reef added, and seems like you've found a reasonably priced sail loft. We've none in our area; in fact, with the exception of West Marine, all of the local places wouldn't be caught dead dealing in sailboat stuff.

When I said Macgregor I meant the dealer, as it is generally assumed 90+% of the options are dealer installed.

I had it done at Harding Sails here in MA. They charged me actual time (1 hour labor)+ cost of the slugs. Very reasonable prices, great workmanship.

Paul

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i used stainless steel "spur" grommets on mine.
again...Sailrite walked me thru the entire process.
it was a vary easy install.
about $50 and a couple of hours.
it allowed me an opportunity to spread the main on my front lawn for cleaning/inspecting.
also, the tricky part is installing grommets/shackles at the correct location above and below the reefing point.
this is only because of the 6-8" opening in the mast at that location.
your grommet/shackle must be above that point when reefed.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90 TLDI

[Sloop John B]

An alternative to sail slugs is a prefeeder. A $54 clunk of stainless steel that is 'bolted' just under the slot. This allows you to hoist the sail from the cockpit as the bolt rope is aligned with the slot by this device.

The sail with bolt rope is superior to one with slugs. The difference in 'speed' with a Mac would be imperceptible.

Sail slugs will fail sooner than the bolt rope alone. Sail slugs require more time in initial rigging. I would guess about 20 seconds. And overall, they cost more.

With all that said, I think I would prefer to have the more expensive, non-jamming slugs professionally installed. Theyre better than a feeder for cruising, reefing and for tying up at a slip or mooring when you apply the sail cover over the main.

The feeder allows the main luff to drop out of the slot and has to be fed again before the next hoist.

Anyway, you should be aware of the pre-feeder option for a few of its advantages and disadvantages.