Just for a contrasting opinion, I think you're all nuts! For me, the boltrope is easier to deal with than slugs. The original sail that came with Storm Petrel had slugs, but I ordered my new main (5 years old now) without them and haven't looked back. In the spring, a shot of silicone spray in the mast groove keeps the boltrope sliding freely all season, and I don't need a mechanism to keep the sail from dropping out of the slot. I can let go of the halyard to tend to something else and the sail stays put. Of course, it's also more aerodynamic. The boltrope is a strong, simple and secure system. Bill Riker M15 #184 Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+wriker=mindspring.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Craig F. Honshell Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:26 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: track lube I had such a mod made this past spring (close the old throat, open a new, lower throat) . . . However, I had my groove opened right above where the boom rests when the downhaul is cinched . . . I have a 1/4" quick-release stop-pin that runs across the groove once the slugs are fed into place . . . I can flake the sail without allowing the slugs to drop out of the groove . . . This also works pretty well . . . Perhaps not as tidy as Busca's mod . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: htmills@bright.net To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:18 PM Subject: track lube Bill, Rod, the previous owner, had the following solution: He closed up the original spread section of the groove and opened up a new one BELOW the normal operating position of the boom. When setting up, I feed the slugs all in and then the gooseneck slide and raise it up towards its normal operating position. A stop (slug w/ thumbscrew) below the gooseneck keeps it from falling down. A line to the mast foot holds the boom from raising when the sail is hoisted. Sounds complicated but it works pretty well. I'll get the measurements for you hopefully by the weekend. Tod _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats