Mast Gate

[lockie]

I'm getting a bit tired of fitting/removing all the mainsail slugs every time I go for a sail, and thought a mast gate might good so I can leave it slugged in all the time. I've tried this and the sail cover fits, so no problems there.
I think could screw a gate to the mast semi-permanently and this should work as long as there's enough length to fit the unused slugs in the track when I reef. If not, I'd have to have some way of opening the gate to drop them out for reefing.
I don't want to go drilling holes into the mast willy-nilly while I protype this, so I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's done this and come up with a solution.

Cheers, Graeme

[daddle]

A gate on the slot is a standard thing on boats that store the main on the boom. Normally two metal bits that screw on to cover each side of the slot. Slugs pass below the slot when the main is lowered for storage or reefing.

The gates have a small lip that extends into the opening so the slugs don't get hung up.

No reason I can think of to let the slugs out of the mast slot when reefed.

[svHyLyte]

See Sail Track Stop . No Gate required.

[daddle]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

See Sail Track Stop . No Gate required.

That might be handy in some cases. Many gates are a bit above the boom so it's nice if the slugs can pass the gate to stack from the boom upwards. Helps get the reef cringle all the way down low.

[Vasco]

The slugs on Isomats slide below the gate down to the boom. The gate does not block the track in any way. Take the gate off to feed the slugs into the track or out of the track when removing the sail.

[mikereed100]

You might have a look at these:
MetalMast Mainsail Gates

[lockie]

Those MetalMast gates look pretty close to what I want.

I should have said that I've already got a stop for the track, but it's way above the slot, and the sail is all bunched up, way too far above the boom to leave like that except for a short time.

Thanks, lockie

[Chief Engineer]

I thought this was going to be a conspiracy thread...Watergate, Irangate,

[TomLuque]

Link to see video of a self closing gate to install sail slugs, prevents them from falling out and allows sail to flake all the way down to the boom.

YouTube - Demo use of new invention, Snap-Gate

demo mast

YouTube - Closeup of P19 Mast-Snap-Gate. Quick & Safe sailing.

closeup sample

[Get-a-Life]

Thanks for that Tom, what a great gadget.

Where can these be purchased from?

Keen

[lockie]

Well that looks like it could be just what I want - how/where do I get one?

lockie

[TomLuque]

Originally Posted by Get-a-Life

Thanks for that Tom, what a great gadget.

Where can these be purchased from?

Keen

I'm not sure how to post an item for sale, but I'll try the Classified Forum.
Thanks for asking.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Get-a-Life

Thanks for that Tom, what a great gadget.

Where can these be purchased from?

Keen

Tom Luque’s P19 Mast-Snap-Gate prototype Mast Slot Gate Latch (patent pending) is easy to make using a Dremel tool with cut-off wheel:

Goto ➥ West Wight Potter P-15 Sailboat Owners

➥

YouTube - Closeup of P19 Mast-Snap-Gate. Quick & Safe sailing.

[SabreKai]

Here's a question for you. My mast is exterior roller furling, and it appears that the extruded sail track was removed to a point about 14-15 inches above the top of the boom. I am planning on going back to slides on the main, but am wondering what to do about the slides when I drop the sail. With no track, how do I keep the bottom 15 foot of the main from coming off. Somehow I need to replace that missing section of sail track. Has anyone ever run into this problem?

Sabre

[daddle]

Is it metal T track? Just add a piece. The joint takes some care, though, probably diagonal and filed smooth.