Main sail luff slides, mast inlet hole problem

[carstendenmark]

I have a Maxi 87 sailboat with a PP mast (the black elox'd alu).

The inlet hole in the mast for the slides of the main sail luff is of open construction, so when I raise the sail, I have to move up the slides and insert a locking pin, so the slides don't fall back down and out, before hoisting the sail.
Same, when I lower the sail after ending a good sailing day, the slides should again pass the inlet hole of the track, before the sail cover can be wrapped.

- Anyone with this (or similar mast) problem, who solved it in a well working way ?

Mechanical drawings or photos of your solution are warmly welcome ;-)

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by carstendenmark

I have a Maxi 87 sailboat with a PP mast (the black elox'd alu).

The inlet hole in the mast for the slides of the main sail luff is of open construction, so when I raise the sail, I have to move up the slides and insert a locking pin, so the slides don't fall back down and out, before hoisting the sail.
Same, when I lower the sail after ending a good sailing day, the slides should again pass the inlet hole of the track, before the sail cover can be wrapped.

- Anyone with this (or similar mast) problem, who solved it in a well working way ?

Mechanical drawings or photos of your solution are warmly welcome ;-)

What exactly is the problem? I sailed a boat that worked like that for 17 years without problems. We used a metal slide with a machine screw threaded as a stop… never lost one

[Sailmonkey]

Are you looking for a mast gate?

Ours I believe is a MetalMast hinged gate…..but anything in this link will work

https://www.google.com/search?q=mast...&client=safari

[carstendenmark]

Thanks for the link !
Many has made this "at home", and there are many solutions.

Just would like to know if some has made a smooth and good solution for this kind of Maxi mast. It is the french made PP mast.

The previous owner had no clue of what was used before.

[Sailmonkey]

Here’s what mounts there on your mast (for illustration only unless the dimensions are the same).




http://www.beneteau235.com/f235_mods-mast_gate.htm

[radsailor]

https://stingysailor.com/2018/03/03/...track-gates-2/

this guy makes gates mostly for small boats, but I am certain he can fabricate one for any mast on any boat.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Here’s what mounts there on your mast (for illustration only unless the dimensions are the same).




US Spars Z190 Mast Gate Plates ~ Beneteau First 235



Attachment 241042

Exactly, this is how our boat was originally as well. You don’t want to deal with that whenever putting the sail cover on though.

[Ramona]

Originally Posted by carstendenmark

Thanks for the link !
Many has made this "at home", and there are many solutions.

Just would like to know if some has made a smooth and good solution for this kind of Maxi mast. It is the french made PP mast.

The previous owner had no clue of what was used before.

My mast is similar. I have a piece of sail track about 30cm that is screwed to the flat area under the end of the sail track on the mast that acts as the slide cassette. There is a slight gap and the start of the sailtrack has been filed down so the slides just fall into the cassette. There is a pin in the bottom to hold the slides captive. The deck on my boat is flush and start of the original sail track is out of reach for a 6 foot person unless a step ladder is used.

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by carstendenmark

I have a Maxi 87 sailboat with a PP mast (the black elox'd alu).

The inlet hole in the mast for the slides of the main sail luff is of open construction, so when I raise the sail, I have to move up the slides and insert a locking pin, so the slides don't fall back down and out, before hoisting the sail.
Same, when I lower the sail after ending a good sailing day, the slides should again pass the inlet hole of the track, before the sail cover can be wrapped.

- Anyone with this (or similar mast) problem, who solved it in a well working way ?

Mechanical drawings or photos of your solution are warmly welcome ;-)

I had a similar problem, easily solved by a gate on the slide hole, which rotates out of the way on a setscrew, to remove the slides and keeps them in the rest of the time - I got it from Z-Spars who made the mast - I know Selden offer a similar gadget. Why not try your mast manufacturer?

[Rucksta]

Piece of string to stop the lowest car before it can exit the gate.

Three self tapping screws in the mast above the gate.
One to secure the eye of the string.
Two on the other side to take a cleat hitch.

Adjust string length for lowest stack height.

[OS2Dude]

The mast on our 1985 Catalina 30 had a sail track stop above the gate. It worked, but kept the sail well off the boom when lowered. To get it to lay flat, I made a set of gate covers from some scrap aluminum sheet. I made a template of the opening and marked where the track would be if not cut away for the gate. These I tapped and screwed with some small (Teeny) bolts to some larger plates bent to the contour of the mast. (One for each side.) The small filler pieces make the cover the same thickness as the track so the slugs won't catch on them. I then drilled and tapped a larger set of holes in the plates and attached them with SHORT aluminum bolts to the mast. (Don't want to foul the internal halyards.) The bolts have to be removed to take the sail off, but I do that very rarely.

[carstendenmark]

Thanks, guys !
Seems that I must measure the gate myself, and make it myself.
Just funny, that such a simple and useful thing doesn't come along with masts by default...

I sailed a 19' trailer sailboat in my early days - that mast had a spring-hinged "lid" covering the gate. Easy.

The PP (Pelle Petterson design) black mast was only produced until 1979, so no data or references exists anymore. After 1979, Maxi used the Seldén masts to reduce the cost (Maxi 87 was found too expensive to produce, so it was discontinued after 500 boats, in 1981).
Pelle P. claimed, that his mast design was superior to the Seldén regarding stiffness.

I would like the gadget to be removable without unscrewing any bolts/screws.
Best design would be to just attach it, and then put some kind of securing splits in one or two holes in each "shell".

The gadget should fit so well, so I can change to roller type slides, as easy handling is essential (I mostly sail single-handed, and halyards are lead to cockpit.)

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Rucksta

Piece of string to stop the lowest car before it can exit the gate.



Three self tapping screws in the mast above the gate.

One to secure the eye of the string.

Two on the other side to take a cleat hitch.



Adjust string length for lowest stack height.

This works. If you put a little Carabiner hook on the end you do not even need to tie a knot.
Light, cheap, simple and efficient.

[carstendenmark]

@ Franziska and Rucksta,
I don't see, how the cars or travellers can pass through the gate then ?
That should be purpose, not just to stop them...

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by carstendenmark

@ Franziska and Rucksta,
I don't see, how the cars or travellers can pass through the gate then ?
That should be purpose, not just to stop them...

Unhook the short line & they pass. The line only prevents that cars/sliders decent to low to get into the area of the track where it is open.
Or did I misunderstood your problem?