380: How to take Main Sail off a 380

[Zoid]

I'm putting my 380 on the hard this winter and will taking off the mainsail for the first time. A friend with another 380 removed part of the track on the mast to get the cars off, but that caused all the ball bearings to come out of the cars and roll everywhere. I assume that I unscrew the little alan screw on the aft part of the car in order to disconnect the sail from the cars. Is that correct?

Also is there a trick to getting the battens out of the main?

Anyone who has done this before I would love to gain from your prior experience.

Thanks!

[travellerw]

Sounds like you have a Battcar systems (I don't think all 380s do).

If so, your sail is attached to the Battcars with a pin going through the Battcar and the toggle. Just lift the pin to release the toggle. The toggle can stay on the sail.

Here is a picture of what I mean.

[Wanderlust]

Assuming your cars look like these, you are correct about removing the socket head screws.

Removal of battens depends on the type of fittings. Usually there will be an adjustment screw that you can back off, and slip one end out of the fitting. My old sail had the adjusters at the leech while the new sail has them at the luff.

If you ever need to remove the cars, there should be a short piece of track in your spare parts. Remove a small piece of track and insert this spare piece. Slide a car onto the removable piece and take it inside where you won't lose the Torlon balls. Cover the back of the car with tape to prevent the balls falling out, and then do the next car.

Edit: Travellerw responded with a different system while I was putting my response together.

[Zoid]

Interesting. Here is a shot of my cars. I believe that small pin is removed to disconnect the sail from the cars.

[Zoid]

Actually what is more interesting is the connections from the battens to the sail. This is the first time I've done this so hopefully I am just missing something simple. It looks like at the leech and luff the batten is connected by 8 screws (4 on each side of the sail)? And then there appears to be some kind of pin release at the end of the batten. See attached pictures...Any ideas? Starting to consider leaving the sails on...

[travellerw]

It looks like a Hybrid between my systems and Steves system. You have batten toggles at the front of the sail. You picture seems to show a grub screw at the top front of the car. I would guess you just back the grub screw and the pin holding the toggle will come out.

You should be able to remove the battens by removing the screws, then the battens will slide out the back of the sail. I have a similar system on my mainsail.

[Zoid]

Yes, there is a grub screw in the center top of the car that appears to hold the pin in place. The problem I have now is that the grub screw won't budge. The car is aluminum and the screw is steel so there appears to be some corrosion between the two. Any tricks for getting the screw loose?

[travellerw]

Penetrating oil soak (at least 3 hours). Then use a hammer to gently tap the grub screw. In your case you will probably need to tap the driver or allan key. Tap Tap Tap, then try turning the screw backwards then forwards (yes tighten), then repeat! Eventually it will loosen and come out..

Use Marelube or Tefgel when you put the grub screw back in.

[Zoid]

Thanks for the help. Any suggestions on a particular type of penetrating oil?

Sent from my XT1032 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[paulajayne]

WD40 of a light oil will do - Do not rush it and give it time to soak.

[nigel1]

A 50/50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission oil works really well. Worked wonders when I dismantled my foresail furlers.

[travellerw]

Yup, either of the above will work. Or any other product that says penetrating oil on the label. There are fanboys of various brands, but I find they all work, some just take longer!

[Zoid]

So it was interesting. The grub screws for the cars that were not connected to a batten come right out. The ones connected to battens aren't budging. I found a work around though. I am just unscrewing the black plastic batten cover on the luff of the sail. The sail itself will just slide right out. Then I can unscrew the black plastic from the car. Problem solved and happy man : )

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions! Definitely appreciated.

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by Zoid

So it was interesting. The grub screws for the cars that were not connected to a batten come right out. The ones connected to battens aren't budging. I found a work around though. I am just unscrewing the black plastic batten cover on the luff of the sail. The sail itself will just slide right out. Then I can unscrew the black plastic from the car. Problem solved and happy man : )

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions! Definitely appreciated.

Hhmm seems like a big coincidence.. I wonder if someone used lok-tite on the ones that won't come out.

Glad you solved it though..

[Whomda]

My grub screws are coming out on there won, and a pin is now missing. Do you know where I could get a replacement part for the car pin and grub bolt?