Personally, I would consider adding the Tides
Marine Strong Track system and having their slugs put on. I put such a system onto my
boat in 2004 and it was the best
money I ever spent. Never needs
service and the sail goes up and down like it was slick glass. Our 56 ft
mast cost about $800 and that included
installation and sail modification. It's simple enough that the track is a
DIY but I just spent a bundle on all new
sails and figured the
sailmaker could do the job while he was installing and fitting the new
sails.
Tides Marine - Sail Track and Slide System - SS_CompleteSys at Marine.com
Even my wife can now get the main to within a few feet of the top without the
winch. I have a Dutchman flaking system and when going forward to the
anchor I just release the line
clutch on the main
halyard. It's down and stacked before I reach the foredeck.
Rich