| Author | Message | ||
     Jeff Roy New member Username: Jeffr Post Number: 56 Registered: 03-2001 Rating: N/A |
I do not think there is much performance loss at all between a mainsail with slugs vs. one with a bolt rope. The luff of the main is already in very distured air because it is behind the mast. The first 6 inches or so never see enough clean air to contribute any lift at all. I have sailed on many boats that are fastest up wind witha a fairly significant separation bubble on the main when everything is trimmed tight. I have slugs on my main and wouldn't have it any other way. I only do casual PHRF racing and do a lot of daysailing with my family and by myself. When I open the halyard clutch the main drops all the way down. I is also eaier to raise and with a track stop in place it is easily flaked by one once it is down. If your mast is like mine (Offshore Spars) you won't have to do any modifications to it at all. You just have to get the right size slug. My main is a 2+2 and the slugs at the full battens are metal, but that is the only "special" hardware -- no cars batt cars. |
