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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Mast slugs ... what size?

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/17/2003 : 17:36:39

Hi everyone,

I broke a mast slug last week ... does anyone know what size they are? I have a standard rig, if that makes any difference.

I just got back from West Marine. As luck would have it, there wasn't anyone there who could even spell "sailboat" <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle> ... no one knew what size I should buy, so I came home with 1/2 inch ... will those work?

Thanks for the help!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 18:32:13

Buzz,

The "stock" size C-25 std. rig main sail luff slug seems to be 3/8" (and all plastic at that). I broke a bunch of them. I switched to 1/2" slugs w/stainless steel bales, and those seem to work just fine. For highly loaded positions such as the head, clew and reef tacks, there are available on the market 1/2" slugs that are about 2" long w/SS bales.

-- Leon Sisson

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 18:37:47

My 85 TR/FK uses 3/8" plastic slugs. West Marine #2690865. Here's what they look like (if I can get this picture link to work!)

<img src="http://matsche.home.mindspring.com/catalina/sailslug.jpg" border=0>

John Matsche 1985 Cat-25 TR/FK

Edited by - matsche on 03/17/2003 18:38:43

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 19:05:59

<img src="http://www.sailnet.com/store/prodimage/160x160/4dsnsb5.gif" border=0>

I bought 3/8" slugs from Sailnet for $1.15 each. West Marine sells the same slug for $3.75 ea($7.49/pr). For the price of 4 slugs from WM you can get 13 from SailNet.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 21:41:38

OK ... now I'm confused ...

The sail slugs I bought look just like the photo that John posted.

Leon, you said the standard size for Catalina is 3/8 inch, but you switched to 1/2 inch ... did you have to modify either the slug or the mast slot? Did you switch to the type of slug that Don shows in his photos?

Don, I like the looks of those slugs, but I've got a question. If the slug is made with a stainless steel bale (is that what that loop is called?), wouldn't that make it more likely that the gizmo attaching the slug to the sail would break under strain (since it is now the weak point)? I didn't see any of those sail-attachment gizmos for sale at West Marine ... at least I can get the all-plastic slugs. What do you think?

Thanks!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

BTW ... I forgot to mention the West Marine price for five of the plastic slugs was $7.49.

Edited by - buzz maring on 03/17/2003 21:44:04

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2003 : 23:58:32

Buzz,

What kind of slug broke on you, plastic or SS? Where did it break, on the bail?

I would think that the slug with the stainless steel bails are stronger than the all plastic slugs(they are more expensive). I'm not sure if this is just semantics or what, but both WM and SailNet call the all plastic slug "plastic" and call the one with the stainless steel bail "nylon/SS". You can see both slugs on page 924 of the 2003 WM catalog.

BTW-The SS/nylon slugs I received from SailNet only had the round nylon body and the SS bail. They did not have that lip that would ride on the outside of the mast slot.

<img src="http://www.sailnet.com/store/prodimage/160x160/4dsap.gif" border=0>

SailNet has the same plastic slugs for .48 each.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 03/18/2003 00:08:34

Edited by - dlucier on 03/18/2003 18:55:14

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 00:44:57

Buzz,

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Leon, you said the standard size for Catalina is 3/8 inch, but you switched to 1/2 inch ... did you have to modify either the slug or the mast slot? Did you switch to the type of slug that Don shows in his photos? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>The 1/2" slugs w/stainless steel bales I'm talking about, and using, look like the reinforced 3/8" ones Don has.
<img src="http://www.sailnet.com/store/prodimage/160x160/4dsnsb5.gif" border=0>
Yes, the additional nylon up around the "legs" of the bale helps the slugs run smoothly, and protects the edges of the luff groove from wear. No, I didn't have to modify anything. The stock mast (std or tall) and boom extrusions are designed to use 1/2" slugs. I think Catalina decided to save a few cents by supplying the 3/8" all plastic slugs as original equipment, rather than 1/2" ones. By the way, I call "the gizmo attaching the slug to the sail" a sail slug shackle or lashing. That can be accomplished any of several ways:
<ul><li>Manufactured stainless steel shackles with machine screws. (easy, real strong, noisy, really should have soft plastic chafe guards, probably the most expensive)</li>
<li>Manufactured nylon shackles with SS machine screws. (easy, strong, noisy, still expensive)</li>
<li>Manufactured nylon shackles that snap closed. (easy, not as strong, not quite as noisy, maybe slightly less expensive)</li>
<li>Sewn webbing. (strong, quiet, requires either a heavy sewing machine and skills or paying a sailmaker plenty)</li>
<li>Hand lashing through a grommet with heavy waxed dacron thread. (plenty strong, real cheap, quiet, very low tech tools and skills<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>)</li></ul>

I've used almost all of the methods above at one time or another. If you add up what a complete set of new slugs, shackles, etc. would cost, you'll see why I seldom turn down a yard sale reject quality sail, regardless of what boat it fits. One might be able to scavange several dollars worth of used hardware off even the most worn out and dumpster ready sail.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 02:00:20

Last year I bought a 12 SS sail slugs(@$1.15 ea), 12 SS shackles(@$1.20 ea), and 12 plastic protectors(.13 ea) from SailNet, but I did have to wait a month or so because one of items was on backorder.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 03/18/2003 18:55:47

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 10:19:30

Thanks Don & Leon ... I think I've got a plan.

It sounds like I'll be able to use the 1/2 inch slugs I bought without modifying the mast or the slugs. I'd just as soon use them rather than go all the way back to West Marine to get the smaller ones ... West Marine is almost as far away as my boat!

I really like the slugs with the stainless steel bales. When I've used all five of the plastic slugs I just bought, I'll order all new slugs with SS bales and replace them all. For now, all I want to do is get some canvas up and sail instead of spending every freakin' minute working on the boat!

BTW, I hadn't thought about buying used sails for salvaging parts ... 'good advice. Of course, there aren't very many used sails down here, but you never know what might turn up ...

Thanks again!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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WGriswold
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 16:02:36

When I've bought replacement slugs I have always purchased the exact same weak slugs that came with the boat. I was tempted to get stronger ones, but was concerned that the slugs might be designed to fail first and prevent damage to the sail or rigging. Sort of like the breakable pins in my snowthrower.

What do you all think?

Wait Griswold
C25, South Lake Tahoe

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2003 : 18:54:08

I don't think slugs are designed to fail to save the sail and rigging. Slides on external track systems are made of stainless steel and would not fail so readily. The next time you have to replace any slugs, use a stronger slug like the nylon with SS bails.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 03/18/2003 19:00:29

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2003 : 09:29:15

Update ...

I went to the boat yesterday, and I replaced the sail slug ... the 1/2 inch worked fine. In fact, it turned out that ALL of the slugs are 1/2 inch ... apparently a PO used 1/2 inch slugs when the mainsail was replaced.

Frankly, I'm glad they are 1/2 inch ... the 3/8 inch slugs looked pretty wimpy to me.

Thanks for the help!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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