The rivets on the top of the mainsail have broken and i am left with only one or two rivets holding the two metal plates to the luff and top of the sail. What kind of rivets are they and what size. Can i put them on myself and what caused this. Also does anybody have any tips on lowering the mainsail, Knots on the halyard and just tips on getting the ring off of the hook. This has given me alot of trouble.

They may have been brass rivets.

I have re-riveted the head plate on several of my older sails, with stainless steel rivets.

The mainsail hook is better discussed while you're doing it. There have been lots of posts with techniques, etc.

One simple rule of thumb is pull it up, rotate the sail 35-90 degrees, and try and pull it down. If one way doesn't work, try it the oter direction.

measure the size of the hole in the head board and there is your answer. as far as getting the main down... rotate the mast like someone else said. if that doesn't work then make sure the halyard is in front of the ring when you attach it to the head board.

Instead of reriveting I bought some stainless steel bolts and nuts the size of the hole (similar in size to the ones used on the luff batten protectors)and put them on with every other one going in the opposite direction. I have also done this with clew plates and tack plates with great success. Easy, fast and cheap.

This thread is only a couple of days old, you'll find it if you do a search of the open forum.

Re: Nacra 5.5SL main halyard problem

regards