Last update: 5/6/2013Home Page
(Formally known as Snap-Gate and Clasp-Gate) Patent Pending. Made in USA.
Custom Built for Single-Handed Sailing.
[Testimonials] [Boats Currently using MastGates] [Dealer Info]
Product Line:
Improves Single-Handed Reefing & Hoisting !
Installs over existing feed slots.
Sail slugs slide over the bridged opening.
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- Add or remove individual sail slugs.
- Eliminate track-stop losses.
- One hand to install or remove sail slugs.
- No tools, screws or gates lost overboard.
- No corrosion, worn out screw holes.
- Eliminate rips by Cotter-pin type sail-stops.
- Boom-slide and sail can be pushed above for tall boom tent.
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MastGates use a Patent Pending method for contoured fitting over the mast track sail feed.
This makes the MastGate an integral part of the mast channel, providing greater holding strength without the need of screws. Nylon inserts provide positional support.
Shock cord tethers' gate plate to the mast to prevent loss.
Internal MastGates mount inside the track channel, creating a hands-free, self-closing operation as each slug is inserted. Very elegant in looks and style.
External Hingible MastGates easily mounts outside of track channel feed. A simple push of the hand will open or close the hingible gate. A mounting hole is provided for extended closing.
External Fixed/Removable MastGates. The ultimate "KISS" (keep it simple stupid) solution for closing the sail slot opening.
A preferred choice for seasonal and long term sailing by using a removable nylon rivet to hold gate to mast.
Two additional holes are provided for permanent slot closing.
We custom build our MastGates with SS-316 to fit your slot opening.
Do you have: Wedged or Spread track opening? [See how to close it].
Internal gate Kit
(shown in a Precision-18).
(click photo for video )
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External Fixed gate Kit
(temporary or permanent mounting)
Removable 1/4" nylon rivet
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External Hinged gate Kit
(dual Hinge shown)
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Custom Sail-Slide Solutions:
(Click on image for video)
Rail Extension .
Extend the length of a track channel to make reefing and flaking easier.
(Slide and track-stop not included.)
Rails are custom formed for: small, medium, and large slides.
Pocket Feeder to load & hold slides in track.
The Slide Pocket Feeder can be used under an existing mast channel or built into a rail extension order.
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Quick-Release Track-Stop:
Standard, single action cam lever will provide over a hundred pounds of clamping action.
Deluxe model rated to exert over 800 Lbs of force with 27 Lbs of hand force.
By requesting extended rod, you can also block an open feed slot.
(mouse over image)
[Quick-Release Demo video link]
Testimonials:
Thanks Tom, I watched your videos and did the installation, I think the installation took less time than watching the videos. It went well and it looks like the gate will do a good job.
Thanks
Bill / Oday Daysailer (DM-284)
Tom:
just installed another MastGate. installed it in about five minutes ... took me more time to draw the lines to locate the drill holes than installing the unit. works great!
again, thanks for such a great product. so far there are two Sage 17s with MastGates!
Dave Scobie / Sage Marine
Looking to replace a sail-stop that went flying into the lake when we were closing up ship last Fall. We had the Barrel type .... - the barrel type fit really snug...
Dana, Precision 18
My new M-15 came from Bob's Manufacturing Plant with a nice Topping Lift... I have just received my Mastgate.... That and my topping lift will be a great combo when I decide to leave my sail on the boom!
Hale, M15
Hi Tom,
I wanted to let you know that I finally got out to the boat, and the part fits perfectly- much thanks for your help with creating the specs, for the great follow up, and the great information you shared with me. All very much appreciated!!
Best regards, Steve G (1986 O'Day 23, profile F5)
Hello Tom,
I have a 1973 O'Day Mariner. I just got back from a three-day sailing trip accompanied by another Mariner, sailed by Nathan B... At one point we encountered conditions where it became prudent to reef, and I was amazed at how quickly Nate was able to tuck a reef into his mainsail. He tried to explain his Mast Gate, but I didn't understand what he was saying until I could actually inspect the thing. I am impressed! Such a simple little device makes life so much easier for the single-hander.
Chris A (O'Day Mariner)
Hello Tom,
I keep forgetting to let you know how the MastGate for the C-22 worked out.
It works perfectly - it does exactly what it says on the tin. I have used it for almost the whole sailing season now with no issues. You got the internal radius and external curve just right for the later model flat sided Catalina mast if that is a useful reference point for making future C-22 gates for other customers. The length worked out right too.
David M. (Catalina 22) .
Hi Tom,
My wife and I just returned from an 8 day shakedown cruise on our Ericson 27. The MastGate worked so well that I literally forgot it was there most of the time.
All in all my wife and I are very happy with our mast gate and feel that it was an excellent and very cost effective upgrade to our boat. I would not hesitate for a second to give my wholehearted recommendation to any other Ericson 27 owners out there who want a simple, effective mainsail slot controller!
Thanks again for the great service Tom!
-Eric J (Ericson 27, Berkeley, CA)
Hi, Tom,
... I ordered a MastGate from you a few weeks ago, I installed it per your instructions on my O'Day Mariner, and it has worked perfectly. What a huge help - especially when reefing. I certainly plan on spreading the word within the Association.Thanks so much for your product.
Nate, Fleet Captain (O'Day Mariner)
Hi Tom,
Finally had a chance to try it out on the water today, and I found that it works just fine without the "notches", as my slugs and
gooseneck slide go up and down past the hinge smoothly, whether just raising the sail, putting in a reef, raising the boom to put up
the boom tent, or whatever ...
Thanks for a great product, and I'm telling all my sailing buddies about it!
Tim W. ( DM-284)
Tom-
The mast gate works great. All sail slugs and gooseneck slide in, out, up,
and down smoothly. Thanks again for your support.
Tom K. ( Precision 18).
We haven't been able to properly reef the main in the 8+ years we've had the boat. This is just what we've been looking for!
Thanks, Sally W. (Ericson 27)
Tom, I’m excited about being able to raise and lower my sail without making my son “babysit” the slides as they fall out of the mast slot!!!
... I can’t imagine anybody with sail slugs that doesn’t need one of these.
Thanks again,
Derek F. (San Juan 21)
I've been using the new mast gate for almost two months now.
Its a big improvement. The main sail is rigged and removed
much faster and easier. The sail is now reefed in under thirty
seconds. Your mast gate is the best. Thank you so much for
your mastgate, and the great service that came with it.
Dave B, (Potter 15)
Thanks Jim (Montgomery15)
I saw Mastgates written up in Smallcraft Advisor, like it very much. A problem I have bitched about for as long as I have sailed, that is, since 1964.
ED H.
Worked as intended. Zero issues. Three trips out on Sunday and two on the 4th. Really glad I did not have a bolt rope to contend with!
Fred M. (1991 Montgomery 17 )
I'm a 77yr old Monty 15 sailer with a neurological condition that limits my hand strength and dexterity. I still sail frequently , with the majority of my sailing being multi-day trips , up to two weeks on the water. Prior to Tom installing his MastGate, I had trouble in sail handling. The mast track opening was to high , I had to stand on the cabin top to feed the slugs into the slot or when I took the sails down to reef or put the sails on the boom. Tom very cleverly closed off the existing wedged track opening and installed his MastGate in a lower and handier location. Once the sail slugs were fed into the mast track, I could raise and lower the sails from the cockpit. This made reefing and sail management much easer. The installation of Tom's MastGate has made my sail management must easer, especially reefing in sporting conditions.
Tom...I want to take this opportunity to thank you for my MastGate. I have used it now for almost one year on my Montgomery 17...what did I do BEFORE MastGate??...I struggled hoisting and dousing my main single handed....Your installation and invention of MastGate are first class!!...Thank You
Dan Phy (M17 & M15e )
Tom, I saw the video demo of your product on You Tube. Fantastic! - I only wish that I had seen it before I installed a Mast Gater from Catalina Direct... I tried to solve the problem of screws and screw driver, which were dropped over the side while trying to get the sail in by attaching the gates... Ordering your Hinged gate to replace the lost gate.
David M, (1980's Catalina 22 )
Tom, I thought your first gate outta the gate...so to speak...was fabulous in its effectiveness and simplicity. The kits you're selling are brilliant! I'm going to assess my needs, and while the doityurselfer in me leans toward your first gate I may well be ordering a kit for ease and no running around to find the right SS tube on my part.
Thanks for your work!!
Rich G (Day sailer )
Hi Tom,
.... After having the sail slugs fall out on me everytime I lowered the sail, I would have paid around $125-$150.00 for a gate installation.
After having viewed your video and put one on last night, on my next boat I would probably purchase the gate and drill the mast and install the gate myself.
I really appreciate your help.. Shane (Potter 19)
I have been using the mastgate for two months now and its a major improvement in sail control. Adding or removing sail slugs is so easy, just a slight push on the gate and it opens or closes. It is especially helpful when a slug needs to be removed in order to reef. My West Wight Potter 15 has a long top batten which bows when the sail is furled unless the slug at the end of the batten is removed from the track. With the MastGate that process is a "snap"
Don P. (Potter 15)
In Response To: Potter 19 (ColoradoPotter)
It only took one sail to convince me that something had to be done. I just installed one of Tom Luque's external MastGates on my newly purchased 2000 P19. Now, problems solved, raising sail, lowering sail, reefing, folding sail onto the boom all have become simple. I recommend the product highly.
Posted By: laurymd (Potter 19)(Trailer sailor blog site)
Tom,
I recently bought my first sailboat, a WWP19, brought it home, and went through all the systems there before putting in the water. It was immediately obvious that raising, lowering, and reefing the main was not going to work efficiently. Those sail slugs certainly have a mind of their own and the sail, of course, was all over the place. While researching the internet, I found Tom's website and videos. Without further ado I towed the boat to Tom's house and had him install the external MastGate. Now that I've had the boat in the water a few times I can't imagine trying to sail without a gate and this one is simple to install and operate.
Laury L. (Potter 19)
