# A mast gate design for the clever 23 **URL:** \ **Category:** Technical Matters\ **Created:** [August 26, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528 "2026-08-26T20:30:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davazp](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/davazp/32/1527_2.png) [@davazp](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/davazp)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/1 "2026-08-26T20:30:15Z")
Hi! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to go out sailing much these last few weeks, so I decided to work on a small improvement for my clever23 in the meantime. I learned the first few times how annoying is when the slugs come out of the mast when lowering the mainsail or reefing. I used a bungee cord to prevent this, and I learned about [mast stoppers](https://bootplus.nl/zeilmakerij-mastsledes-leuvers/36573-zeilslede-stoppers.html) in other post. However, this would leave the slugs too high for me, so that the first reef cringle would not reach the hook. I had to remove the coord to put the first reef. There are some mast gate designs online. Those are a way to close the mast entry so the slugs can go fully down without leaving the mast. But most of them require drilling the mast. I recently got a 3d printer so, I decided to make my own. And here is the result! Two 80mm tall C-shape clips that can be inserted into the mast. Pressing laterally a bit they pop up. I tried lot of small variations to adjust the flexibility. It’s quite sensitive. I don’t know if all clever 23 are identical. My mast feeders also do not interfere with it. I haven’t tested yet outside of the harbour. So consider it a prototype. I will probably update it a bit after I find some crew and the time to go sailing again. ![image](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/f/fd63620bdf1b29ce454d382e1cd32b5a2b2b35c1.jpeg) ![image](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/3/3f912df66a49302bb32cab7f6121c2a26e6ddcf9.jpeg) ![Screenshot 2026-08-26 at 21.27.24](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/d/db9a6ab4b7c3fc9b14223896a14d5ee24e96a7e1.png) ![image](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/3/372107409cfd71cbab5ceebf3047cdfbd35f9c49.jpeg) ![image](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/8/85341f289923935b8b7648a36152461ab494445e.jpeg) If you have access to a 3D printer, you can download the model yourself at [https://www.printables.com/model/1824367-mast-gate-for-sailboat-sportina-680-clever-23](https://www.printables.com/model/1824367-mast-gate-for-sailboat-sportina-680-clever-23) Or if you sail near Amsterdam, invite for a drink or a sail. I can print a few spare ones if I have filament left. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Boswachter](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/boswachter/32/854_2.png) [@Boswachter](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/Boswachter)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/2 "2026-08-27T12:32:32Z")
Wow this looks like a nice upgrade. I have no issues using the stopper, but this looks next level!👍 ---
**Author:** ![gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/gurbe/32/1636_2.png) [@gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/gURBe)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/3 "2026-08-28T15:06:17Z")
I am printing the mast stopper while I’m writing this comment. I am having the same issues you had, which, I hope, the stopper will solve. As soon as I have tested it on my boat I will let you know what my experience is. Regards, Burney ---
**Author:** ![gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/gurbe/32/1636_2.png) [@gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/gURBe)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/4 "2026-08-31T19:49:24Z")
I have tested the stopper. It is a tight fit (on my mast) and the result was that both sides were pressed a bit together and the slugs didn’t fit through. Widening the opening by brought some improvement but I will do some fine tuning later to have it work fine. Very happy with it; thanks! ---
**Author:** ![davazp](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/davazp/32/1527_2.png) [@davazp](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/davazp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/5 "2026-09-01T23:34:32Z")
Nice. Thanks for trying! Maybe different tolerances for the printer. This is the distance I adjusted for the fit. Good luck with the tuning! ![Screenshot 2026-09-02 at 01.32.06](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/b/b9336c5f4fbc6769deafd99a5ff16ddc5c688d77.png) ---
**Author:** ![gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/user_avatar/www.sportinaforum.net/gurbe/32/1636_2.png) [@gURBe](https://www.sportinaforum.net/u/gURBe)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://www.sportinaforum.net/t/a-mast-gate-design-for-the-clever-23/1528/6 "2026-09-05T18:35:33Z")
To solve the fitting problem, I reduced the design to 95% of the original dimensions and now it fits perfectly. I also widened the opening a bit in order to let the slugs move easier (I suppose that it depends on what type of slugs you use) ![IMG_4797 kopie](https://uploads.sportinaforum.net/original/2X/e/e1f861b9196826c65cf6dffdac59da0c1bbf38c6.jpeg)