In my experience using the bolt rope instead of slugs has been a hassle and
converting to slugs is one of the first things I do if the sail doesn't have
them. A bolt rope won't let the sail flake properly without removing from the
slot and takes more effort all around...raising and lowering.
The slot on your mast should have a stop in it to keep the slugs from
falling out. The stop is basically a slug with a thumbscrew to tighten or
loosen
and adjust at will. The stop is otherwise never touched until you want to
remove the sail from the boat. The boom should be close enough to the slot to
let
you raise, lower and flake the sail without feeding. It's a matter of
matching slug size and type (round, barrel, wire, solid, shoulders, etc) to
the slot
to make the sail slide down without help.
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