Lubricating masthead sheaves

[gandy]

Hi,

I've removed the sheaves from the masthead (Kemp mast) as they were pretty siezed up. Nothing looks too warn, but they were gunged up with sticky grease - almost putty consistency. The sheaves are alloy with some sort of bushing, hard plastic I think, running on SS axles.

My question - should I lubricate with anything, if so, what? My inclination is to use wax, I have some that is used to lubricate and protect ways on tools and machines. This is non-sticky once the solvent has evaporated. How does that sound?

Thanks, as always, Tony S

 

[Malcb]

Be wary of using anything with wax in it as it can attract dust and grit and eventually clog up.
I've had good results with 'Sailkote' which is a dry lubricant. I've even used it to free jammed brakes on a boat trailer when WD40 wouldn't work. Yes it's possible expensive, but a little goes a long way and the effcets seem to last a long time.
I have no connections with the company.

 

[Poignard]

You can buy PTFE lubricant from a car parts shop or Halfords. Might be cheaper than from a chandler.

 

[gandy]

Ok, another option. I already have Screwfix PTFE lubricant, that worked well on the ball-bearing sheaves on the Wayfarer.

The wax I referred to doesn't attract dust, though. I use it on handplanes, sliding surfaces on the router etc.

I am concerned that if I just give a squirt of PTFE lube, there'll be nothing to hold back corrosion. I don't specially want to be climbing the mast to free the sheaves off during the season.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Some kind of teflon spray is your best bet as you suggest. Sounds like someone put a more conventional grease on it which is your problem. Personally in 20 years of boating I've never greased the masthead sheaves and never had a problem. They are too high up to get much spray unless you are an 'on your ears' man, so I would not worry too much.

 

[Lakesailor]

No. Don't.

 

[Heckler]

i used a silicon wax spray about 3 years ago and havent had a prob since.
stu

 

[MedMan]

I changed all 6 of mine for plastic ones 12 years ago and I haven't had to touch them since. They only cost a few pounds and they are kinder on the halyards too.

 

[vyv_cox]

The reason they seize up is that the plastic swells slightly when constantly wet. The best treatment is to ream them out slightly then perhaps use a little PTFE spray although this is not strictly necessary. I have treated both my masthead and foot sheaves in this way and they no longer give any problems.