OK, stupid question time again!

[mikefleetwood]

Thanks folks.
Sounds like a clean out of the track with a soaked rag followed by spray lubricant is the first line of attack. I'll see what I can find at Screwfix, as I've got to go into town before heading to the boat again tomorrow.

 

[Mistroma]

I

Thanks folks.
Sounds like a clean out of the track with a soaked rag followed by spray lubricant is the first line of attack. I'll see what I can find at Screwfix, as I've got to go into town before heading to the boat again tomorrow.

I have some PTFE spray from Screwfix at home. It sort of works a bit on things I've tried but not a patch on Holts Pro-Lube.

Forgot to bring some to Greece this year and ran out. Chandlers haven't heard of it here so bought a can for 12 euro. Told it was really good. Turns out that it's nowhere as good as Pro-Lube.

 

[KevinV]

A

I have some PTFE spray from Screwfix at home. It sort of works a bit on things I've tried but not a patch on Holts Pro-Lube.

Agreed, Holts Pro-lube is great. GT85 is pretty okay, but Zefal dry (chain) lube is much better and available from most bike shops

 

[Boathook]

I've used furniture spray polish on my mast track plus the headsail furling "track" at the beginning of the season.

None of these lubricants are of any help though if the masthead sheaves are binding !

 

[Mistroma]

Agreed, Holts Pro-lube is great. GT85 is pretty okay, but Zefal dry (chain) lube is much better and available from most bike shops

Thanks for the information. I just checked the can I bought in Greece and it's a German product with FORCH S208 on the tin. I'd say it's much better than stuff from Screwfix but nothing like Pro-Lube. It wasn't as expensive as I thought as it's in a 500ml can and cost 11 euro. Pro-Lube comes on 200ml size and probably costs about the same.

S208 has helped free the mainsheet track a bit but Pro-Lube usually transforms it at the start of the season.

I'll probably use S208 to flood my furler swivel to use it up. It jammed about 12 years ago. I couldn't dismantle it and dealer said a new unit was the only option. It was only 2-3 years old.

I flushed it with diesel and lots of crud came out. Left it to bake in the sun and let Pro-Lube sleep in. Perfect afterwards. I now pack the top with grease, wrap in cling film and finish with duct tape at the end of each season That stops Sahara dust seeping inside. Grease all removed and Pro-Lube flooded on top. It's so thin that it runs right down inside the furler. Some grease is added again to keep out as much dust as possible.

A bit of drift but pointing out that Pro-Lube has kept it running for many years. Other sprays might work as they are all pretty thin and will seep in. But I know Pro-Lube is exceptionally good on things I test ever year, mainly cars on tracks.

 

[LittleSister]

It's not a stupid question (indeed a common one), but it would have been more helpful to indicate the nature of the question in the title. (A surprisingly common omission.)

 

[stephen_h]

The ultimate lubricant for sail slides and a lot more on board is McLube. Rare to find a serious race boat without an (expensive) can on board (or nearby on fast skiff type dinghies).

Agree - that stuff is amazing. Always give everything a good spray at the start of the season.
It can even be sprayed onto the bolt rope of a headsail when pulling up the foil.