problems feeding mainsail bolt rope into mast slot

[skier]

I have ordered a few different slugs to try (from Duckworks and D&R and will look around a bit more for others).

I talked to a local loft and it sounds like they can add slugs to my mainsail for about $75.

[jdoorly]

Sorry no pics yet.

Yes, I'm sure leaving the mainsail bent on will save a lot of time launching and recovering. But, having cut the mast higher than normal and needing an "A" frame and purchase to raise the mast, I now find the tabernackle could have been installed at the prescribed just-above-deck level and still allow the boom and mainsail to be permanently rigged.

[GreenLake]

I would have thought the use of an A frame alone would kill any time advantage.

A great time saver, I find, is the use of a rope shackle with prusik knot to attach the jib. I can leave the jib-sheets rigged that way.

[jdoorly]

Sorry Greenlake didn't notice your reply 'till now.

The "A" frame is made up of a 1" x 6' stainless tubing with a 7/8" x 3' stainless tube extending the length up to 8.5' on each side. I keep it at 7' and it works fine. I leave the "A" frame and purchase attached. It's base is hinged just aft of the shrouds and the top crossbar lays on the deck (when not deployed) just aft of the stem and tack fittings. The 4::1 purchase runs from the tack fitting to the crossbar with a fiddle block and cam fastened to the crossbar. When I want to raise the mast I remove the lashing from the mast at the gallows, raise the "A" frame a bit past straight up, remove the jib halyard snap shackle from the spinnaker pole bale, attach it to the cross bar, and pull on the purchase untill the mast is verticle.

I've shimmed the tabernackle bottom plate so the hinge pins slide in easily (3/32") and the shims are "L" shaped so they reduce the side to side play as well. The boom gooseneck is positioned below the tabernackle with the footrope of the main in the boom slot, and I've installed slugs on the mainsail's luff. The slugs are in the mast slot above the tabernackle, feed slot and sail stop. The mainsail sits comfortably whether the mast is up or down, and when I detach the mast from the tabernackle to pull it forward for trailering the mast just slides forward and the slugs stay in place.

I do have a problem with the mast wanting to wander left and right as it rises and lowers, if I don't hold it steady, so I'm experimenting with shock cords to keep tension on the shrouds but haven't found just the right place to anchor them yet.

There's no question I'm saving a lot of time with this technique as opposed to manhandling the mast into the cuddy's blow hole! And, it is safer and 100% under control now. I am planning on installing some sort of bow pulpit and using the "A" frame as safety rails/lifelines for the foredeck. I'm also thinking of using the SS tubing for a cockpit awning support.

[GreenLake]

After I've gone out a few times in quick succession at the start of the season, I find that raising/lowering even a keel-stepped mast single handed is easy and totally the quickest method (being North of 6' definitely helps).

Key ingredient is having a hinged guide above the hole. I would have thought that a tabernacle would serve the same purpose (fixed pivot).

While the keel-stepped mast is longer, it's secure the minute it's dropped on its step.

My own mast-raising tripod, which I use when I don't feel like lifting anything, is designed to accommodate the short vertical raise to get the mast out of the hole, as well as the tipping. (Hence I cannot use an A frame on my boat).

My contraption has to be rigged and unrigged for each use, making the process slower. Otherwise it gives the same positive control except for mild swaying, when the mast is partially up. As a light steadying hand is all that's needed, I'm not planning on rigging any extra lines.