Mast & Service Newbie

[najsmith]

I've had the mast down this winter with the intention of servicing it.

I've removed the halyars with ghost lines and am looking at it wondering what else I can possibly do?

Should I grease the block wheels in the mast (Sheaves...right)?

How would I get the grease onto the moving bits and what should I use?

Should I use the opportunity to replace the VHF arial? I've had her 2 seasons and the arials prob been up there 3 before that...?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Not sure about grease on the sheaves - I've always used light oil. You will need to get the sheaves out to grease them properly, and I am not convinced grease is the right thing for them anyway.

Why replace the VHF antenna if its working? No reason why it shouldn't do a few more years yet. You can check the cable for water ingress. Assuming its ok I put grease/vaseline on the conncetion and I always put grease/vaseline on all the electrical terminals as a last line defence against corrosion.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Should I use the opportunity to replace the VHF arial

[/ QUOTE ] I fitted my aerial in 1984! Still OK I hope. It is fair to say that the mast always comes down for the winter and the aerial is then removed from its bracket and taped to the mast under the cover.

 

[dunedin]

For the sheaves, I have used McLube Sailkote. This is thin and dry, so doesn't gather dirt like grease does.
Magic stuff. Used on the mainsail slides also and dramatically improved hoisting

 

[Shanty]

Mast down is a good opportunity to check over the standing rigging. Its far easier to spot problems, and far cheaper to solve them.

Check the rigging wire. Concentrate on the ends - thats where the problems arise. Look for broken strands, particularly where the wire emerges from the ferrule. One broken strand on a 1x19 wire rope is enough to condemn it - as is a serious kink anywhere in the length.
Check the terminations for any signs of cracking.
Check the attachment points on the mast, and the mast wall in the vicinity, again you are looking for cracking.
Check the spreaders and spreader roots - cracking again
Check that any split pins that should be present are in fact there, and secure.

If you see anything that you are unsure about, get expert advice from a surveyor or rigger.

All the above assumes we are talking about an aluminium mast with stainless steel wire rigging.

 

[najsmith]

Great stuff Guys - much appreciated.

Anybody use 3in1 oil on thier mast?

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
Great stuff Guys - much appreciated.

Anybody use 3in1 oil on thier mast?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, but I've used Pledge (silicone furniture polish). I know there's a body of people who wouldn'h have silicone anywhere near a boat, but wiping the spars over with it tidies up the anodising, and helps repel water.

I may be speaking heresy here, but I don't believe 3 in 1 oil is much good for anything that lives outside (it washes off very quickly, as does WD40).

Andy

 

[michael_w]

Another vote for McLube. Bloody expensive, but brilliant stuff. use it everywhere, eg: Jib tell-tales sticking? Give'em a squirt. Same for most things that move on deck. Doesn't kuck things up like oil or WD-40.

Inspect all the tangs, welds etc with a magnifying glass for cracks. If you are really keen you can always dye test too.

To polish up, I've used stuff called Aerowax. No idea where you get it though.