Raising Main Sail problem

[delcrest]

Hi all, some advice / recommendations please. Just purchased a new mast and Ullman sails for my 36’ cat. Raising the main sail is difficult, I can raise it by hand to about the same height as the radar, after that its winch power only and very difficult the last 30% even with the 42 self tailing winch
Lowering the sail is not that easy and has to be pulled down nearly all the way, and would not be easy if the wind was blowing more than 7knts and bow into the wind
Currently Bainbridge sail slides with 5 batterns, was supplied with the new sail / mast
I am thinking of changing the slides to the Rutgerson battcar system, any advice / recommendations greatly appreciated .. Thanks in advance

[Bean Counter]

You could try McLube one drop lubricant before investing too heavily.

[Fiveslide]

You sure the sheaves in the masthead are turning freely? If you have difficulty the entire luff, I bet they're not spinning.

[steve77]

It sounds to me like you may have a halyard wrapped around another line inside the mast. When you replaced the mast, there is always the opportunity for halyards to get wrapped around each other.

Best of luck figuring this out.

Steve

[admiralslater]

If the halyards and shivs are ok consider the strong track system. We have had on on out pdq36 since 03 and hoisting the main is a hand over hand job .( no jokes )

[delcrest]

Hi thanks for your reply, my current slides are similar to the strong tack system. Made by Banbridge
Wondering now if there is not a halyard twist in the mast ?

[flyingboat]

I recently had a problem where the topping lift was fouling the main halyard at the masthead if there was any tension (which there normally is) on the topping lift. If the topping lift was released the halyard moved freely. Perhaps another thing to check.

I've used Harken battcars which are a real pleasure. Downside is the stacking height and the expense. I recently delivered a boat with an Antal slide system which worked nicely too.

If you want to stick with the slides check out Dashew's "Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia" They go into some detail on how they made theirs work. It's available as a free download from Setsail.com.

I saw your boat last weekend. Looks like a really nice job - well done.

Graham

[Tillsbury]

Yes, tie a rope to the main halyard and check it goes up and down freely under tension without the sail attached before spending too much.

[delcrest]

Thank you for the suggestions, will have a look at the link you provided, Are you in Durban?

[flyingboat]

Sent a pm

[FabioC]

If your mast has pre-bend and your main has full battens, the other thing to check is that the luff of the new sail has the proper curvature to match the prebend and the battens do not have excessive tension (just ease the tension completely and try). If the battens are too tight, they may push on the sleeve as you hoist, and if the sail does not match the mast, it will have to stretch as it is hoisted, both resulting in excessive friction. I had a similar issue on my 49er a few years ago, which required a herculean amount of effort to hoist.

[thunderhoof]

If there is a halyard wrap in the mast you should be able to ease all the other lines in the mast and so reduce the friction on the main halyard. Try what Tillsbury suggested and ease one line at a time. Don't forget the furling jib halyard.

[CHRIS V CLEMENT]

Is your halyard a 1:1 purchase or a 2:1 purchase ?
Most cats over 30' are using 2:1.
I agree that checking for twisted halyards or stuck sheaves is critical.
Going to a 2:1 purchase may be a good next step...

[delcrest]

Thanks for all the suggestions, some other info ,the halyard is a 1:1, there are 7 battens. Maybe with the 7 battens I am getting too much friction on the slides, its very difficult to raise the main the last 25%, and it does not come down that easy either. When next at the boat I will try releasing the battens and try again
Thinking I am going to try the cheap alternative to Harken / Antal and give the Rutgerson battcars a try

[delcrest]

HI Flyingboat if you in the marina come say hello