The slugs for my mainsail are this nylon and steel kind, I'm guessing 5/16" diameter...
After a recent "episode" in which the topmost slug fell to pieces, I replaced it with what I had in my box.... the all-plastic type, and much smaller, probably 3/8".
I'm thinking that the lateral loads on the topmost slug are pretty minimal and that the smaller slug will serve just fine, but I'm half-expecting to hear declarations to the contrary.
I imagine that the remainder of the slugs are not long for this world either, so I'm wondering if I should bother with the expense of these nylon/steel jobbies, or if the plastic sort will do for replacement.
Aside from cost, I have an additional complaint regarding the steel, as the steel sometimes binds against the aluminum groove in the mast.
Fishing for opinions..... anyone biting?