Proctor / Barbarossa spi pole piston end stuck

[Boo2]

Hi,

I took the spi pole below to help clear the decks and found the piston end is seized. I believe the pole is a Proctor spar but the fitting has "Barbarossa" cast into it (see pix).

I'm interested to know whether anyone here has had the same problem and can hazard a guess as to what's up ? I assume the end fitting will completely undo just by removing the pan head screws visible in the pix and that no un-riveting is required ? Can anyone tell me what's inside ? (I didn't have time to fiddle around but will be going back to the boat next weeekend).

Also, I see that RigRite sell Barbarossa fittings should the worst come to the worst, but can't find a UK supplier ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[colvic987]

Hi,

I took the spi pole below to help clear the decks and found the piston end is siezed. I believe the pole is a Proctor spar but the fitting has "Barbarossa" cast into it (see pix).

I'm interested to know whether anyone here has had the same problem and can hazard a guess as to what's up ? I assume the end fitting will completely undo just by removing the pan head screws visible in the pix and that no un-riviting is required ? Can anyone tell me what's inside ? (I didn't have time to fiddle around but will be going back to the boat next weeekend).

Also, I see that RigRite sell Barbarossa fittings should the worst come to the worst, but can't find a UK supplier ?

Thanks,

Boo2

Its either salt encrusted or corroded, i would try pouring a kettle of hot water over it and see if it helps to free it up.

 

[Norman_E]

If just pouring hot water over it does not work, fill a bucket with water as hot as you can get, with a squirt of washing up liquid in it. Place on deck close to the mast, haul the pole up so that the offending fitting can sit in the water overnight. If you can avoid doing so, do not remove the fitting from the pole. The more times you do that, the more likely it is to become loose when refitted. If its still stuck when it comes out of the water, protect the piston with a piece of card and try twisting it with pliers to free it, then repeat the water immersion.

 

[mariog]

spray the piston and around with anticorrosive/penetrative spray such as WD40 place it upright for a bit, hammer around it and try and work the piston up and down to loosen it.

 

[cliff]

spray the piston and around with anticorrosive/penetrative spray such as AC-90 or PlusGas (don't waste your time with Water Displacing formula #40 aka WD40) pad the piston and gently try to rotate it (mole grips) and with the aid of a large flat screw dirver try to slide it back into the fitting then knock it back out and repeat as often as needed to free it off. pouring boiling water over the casting helps free the piston off initially then it is a case of working it back and forth a little at a time until fully free. (just did 6 on my boat in about 2 an hour - all 6 siezed). after they are free lubricate with silicone spray lubricant

 

[William_H]

Spin pole fitting

As said don't try to remove the fitting from the pole. It will most likely be corroded on and will take destructive forces to remove it.
Having said that you will use increasingly destructive forces to get the piston to move. Until finally you either free the piston or wreck the fitting.
I am not familiar with the fitting so can not be sure the pin is able to rotate. It seems to me from the photos it is operated by a lever from the other side of the pole which would require a hole and a pin which would stop it rotating. There should be a little movement but don't count on it.
Heat, water and solvent should all be tried. Ultimately a pair of vice grip locking pliers clamped onto the pin then a whack with a carefully calibrated bashometer might do the trick. If you rough up the pin with the pliers it can be smoothed out again later.
Good luck with the pole. Obviously you have not been using it enough. olewill

 

[marina95]

I managed to free off my frozen spin pole ends by soaking them overnight in white vinegar, rinsing off and then application of a penetrating spray. Some light hammering of the pistons got them moving again and from that point on it was a question of further cleaning and application of a teflon based dry lubricant.

http://www.briontoss.com/spartalk/showthread.php?t=1743

 

[temptress]

I have seen this problem on several poles. Usually form infrequent use and it is more than likely salt.

Get a small bolt that fits in the hole on the end of the fitting and gently tap the pin until it goes into the fitting. It will likely remain there but then soak it with some hot soapy water (probably just pour it on) and work the pin back and forward this will loosen it up. Once it is moving freely put some silicon based grease in there or use something like SAILLUBE. As said elsewhere WD40 is not really any good. If WD 40 is all you have that will help temporarily just remember to use the fitting every now and then.

Once it is moving just remember to keep using it to avoid SALT buildup and corrosion.

 

[Boo2]

Thanks to all for the replies, I will try the hot water and washing up liquid overnight as that seems simple to do. I did try PlusGas but that didn't cure it on its own, maybe a blast after soaking will do the trick.

To those who commented on the pole not getting much use, I believe the previous owners didn't use the spinnaker at all so that is probably on the mark. I will most likely be too nervous to use it myself for a while but we'll have to see...

Boo2