[C320-list] In-Mast Mainsail

[resloat]

Joe-For in-mast-furling you normally only raise the sail once a season if 
you have a winter off season, so if you need gentle winch helping for the 
last third, I don't see a problem.  Raising the mainsail is done at the dock 
and I assume in ideal conditions.  If the mast is down in the off season, 
clean the mast slot and lubricate it with Sail-Kote before launch.

For us folks with a non-furling main, hand raising is more an issue.  You 
are at sea and can have waves and wind to deal with when raising the main, 
so the quicker and easier the main goes up the better.  My drill when the 
mast is down is to clean the mast track and then apply Harken Sail-Kote to 
the mast slot before launch.  Then lubricate the mains slugs when installing 
the main and every month or so spray the slugs with Sail-Kote.  Eleven 
seasons on a new boat and the main goes up to one foot of the top with hand 
hauling.  Even the new main this year goes up by hand.  Then a few turns on 
the winch to adjust the luff tension for the conditions and its off to 
sailing.

Bob Sloat
S/V Savannah 894 (2002)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph R Aberdale" <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 4:46 PM
Subject: [C320-list] In-Mast Mainsail


I have a 2002 Charleston Spar in-mast furling mainsail. I use Sail-Kote to 
lube it before feeding it into the slot.  I find it impossible to raise it 
completely without using the winch the last third up the mast. Do others 
have the same experience or are you able to raise it entirely by hand?

I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Joe Aberdale
Morning Star
#908