MarkJohnson12345
New member
Any good ideas for lubricating the mast slide.
Hoisting the main is a bit of a strain!
regards
Hoisting the main is a bit of a strain!
regards
Lubricating the mast sliders
- Thread starter MarkJohnson12345
- Start date
snowleopard
Active member
Avoid anything greasy that could trap grit and make things worse. Aerosol PTFE lubricant will do the job. In the old days some boats had a slide containing a felt wick to distribute lubricant - you could make up a pad attached to the top slide and soak it in lubricant or go up the mast yourself and spray it in at intervals.
doug748
Well-known member
Get a tub of silicon lubricant. Brilliant stuff and clean to use. About £7. Brian.
Cloven
Active member
I think what you are looking for is a Silicone based spray but others more knowledgeable will no doubt suggest a trade name. Whatever you do, don't use grease or oil!! However, can I suggest one or two options which may also help the problem as well as the mast slides.
1. Check all the sheaves of the halyard blocks are running freely - they can often be sticky after a winter layup.
2. Halyards tend to swell with time as they are used. Check that the main halyard is not "oversize" if it is old.
Hope this helps
1. Check all the sheaves of the halyard blocks are running freely - they can often be sticky after a winter layup.
2. Halyards tend to swell with time as they are used. Check that the main halyard is not "oversize" if it is old.
Hope this helps
Robin
Well-known member
The best thing I found on our last boat with a fully battened main and slug type sliders was to use a proper old fashioned beeswax polish. Put a big dollop on the top few slugs and pull the main up/down a few times, our sail would drop straight down on its own, even with the full battens. beeswax will dry in the sailtrack and not get sticky or stain the sail. A PTFE spray would work but is harder to distribute in the track unless you went up the mast and sprayed the whole length and I don't think it would last as long, beeswax lasted us all season.
AIDY
Active member
If you are talking about the plastic lugs mr sheen works well.
Obviously dont use if you are talking about ball raced sliders !
Obviously dont use if you are talking about ball raced sliders !
Lakesailor
New member
Have you tried disconnecting the halyard from the main, attaching a line and hoisting that. You can determine how much resistance on the line creates the condition you suffer from. If none, it is the sliders.
If you can create resistance it could be the sheave in the masthead.
I found out this way that the bearing in the top sheave had disintegrated (it was only a plain bearing, a bit of brass tube really) and without tension the sheave turned easily, but pressure on it jammed it up.
If you can create resistance it could be the sheave in the masthead.
I found out this way that the bearing in the top sheave had disintegrated (it was only a plain bearing, a bit of brass tube really) and without tension the sheave turned easily, but pressure on it jammed it up.
ArgoNot
New member
Assuming your sliders are nylon under no circumstances use a mineral oil. It'll make the nylon swell. You can get nylon lubricant from car parts shops.
AndyL
Member
Sent you a pm
MIKE_MCKIE
New member
If you are really tight like me, use a bit of candle & rub it ito the track as high as you can get. Then rub it over the sliders before hoisting. Have used this for donkey's years & it still works a treat. Unless getting very wet frequently, this should last a full season.
The other comments about sheaves etc are still very valid of course.
Best of luck
The other comments about sheaves etc are still very valid of course.
Best of luck
jimboaw
New member
I suffer from the same problem, 43 foot luff 5 full batttens and heavy cloth The solution? The "Strong" mainsail track system from Tides Marine in Florida. First saw it at Fort Lauderdale boat show and was impressed enough to save my pennies and buy. Will be fitting it this W/E. Cost here about $25 a foot including all the hardware.Check it out on the web. Whilst I saved I searched everywhere for a negative comment and didn't find ONE!!!
dickh
New member
I also suffered from this problem in my previous boat(Jaguar 27) which had a fully battened main - it had the usual small white sliders - always jamming. My local sailmaker fitted larger black sliders at each batten position and standard white sliders on the intermediates BUT with a LOOSE bit of webbing joining to the sail(on the intermediates). Worked wonderfully - just hoist up normally by hand, with just the last 6" by winch and it dropped by itself.
MUCH cheaper than the usual 'batten cars' etc and simple.
It was Parker & Kay at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
MUCH cheaper than the usual 'batten cars' etc and simple.
It was Parker & Kay at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
bluedragon
Active member
[ QUOTE ]
I think what you are looking for is a Silicone based spray but others more knowledgeable will no doubt suggest a trade name. Whatever you do, don't use grease or oil!! However, can I suggest one or two options which may also help the problem as well as the mast slides.
1. Check all the sheaves of the halyard blocks are running freely - they can often be sticky after a winter layup.
2. Halyards tend to swell with time as they are used. Check that the main halyard is not "oversize" if it is old.
Hope this helps
[/ QUOTE ]
There was a post recently that suggested the Maplins Silicone/PTFE spray I think.
I think what you are looking for is a Silicone based spray but others more knowledgeable will no doubt suggest a trade name. Whatever you do, don't use grease or oil!! However, can I suggest one or two options which may also help the problem as well as the mast slides.
1. Check all the sheaves of the halyard blocks are running freely - they can often be sticky after a winter layup.
2. Halyards tend to swell with time as they are used. Check that the main halyard is not "oversize" if it is old.
Hope this helps
[/ QUOTE ]
There was a post recently that suggested the Maplins Silicone/PTFE spray I think.
jerryat
Active member
Hi,
I used a candle, cut to a 'tongue', inserted in the track and run up and down. Really excellent throughout the season. However, this year I was given an aerosol to try - Mariner's Choice - Dry PTFE - Sea Spray. This is sprayed into/onto the mast track and allowed to dry before use.
No idea if it'll be better, but will report at the end of the season on it's effectiveness.
Cheers Jerry
I used a candle, cut to a 'tongue', inserted in the track and run up and down. Really excellent throughout the season. However, this year I was given an aerosol to try - Mariner's Choice - Dry PTFE - Sea Spray. This is sprayed into/onto the mast track and allowed to dry before use.
No idea if it'll be better, but will report at the end of the season on it's effectiveness.
Cheers Jerry
Parsonsheath
Active member
I read a post here a week or so ago, then went to my chandlery and got one of the aerosols mentioned here, basically it has teflon in, fantastic!
I had experienced problems getting the main up, just used to stick, had tried the old candle trick, marginally better, but with the teflon great improvement, and it still improves each time I raise the main, will now fall down if you release the halliard!!
I realise my boat had sat in the yard for a while before I got it, just had not realised how lack of use and regular maintenance can gum the works!
I had experienced problems getting the main up, just used to stick, had tried the old candle trick, marginally better, but with the teflon great improvement, and it still improves each time I raise the main, will now fall down if you release the halliard!!
I realise my boat had sat in the yard for a while before I got it, just had not realised how lack of use and regular maintenance can gum the works!
tim3057
New member
I use Krytec, a product made for MTB chains & cables. It's Teflon in a suspension, dispensed from a dropper bottle so more accurate than a spray. It leaves a clean, invisible, hard, dry and very slippery film on nylon bearings, sheaves, fairlead tracks etc etc. I used it on my Wayfarer for everything that moves and will be doing exactly the same with the Finesse in a week or two. It's made by 'Finish Line', get it from a bike shop (not a swindlery).
l'escargot
New member
Silicon spray - if you go to Halfords and buy Fascia/Dashboard cleaner, that is what you get at a significantly lower price than anything marine!
ShipsWoofy
New member
Don't use silicon grease, it picked up every bit of muck in the track, mixed with it and plonked it on my bolt rope.
Just use ptfe spray now.
Just use ptfe spray now.
MarkJohnson12345
New member
Many thanks for all ideas.
Guess what I am up on Saturday
Regards
Guess what I am up on Saturday
Regards
Anwen
Member
I used the Maplins silicone/PTFE spray, and it is still going strong. Has made a big difference to getting the main up and down. Mr Sheen is a silicone emulsion in a spray can, very similar to dashboard cleaners for cars. This would probably work - Mr Sheen is great for lubricating curtain tracks! As others have said, avoid silicone grease, as it doesn't form a thin film like the sprays do, and the clumps will attract dirt and grit.