I found a cheap, simple, (two of my favorite words) way to lube my
mast track today. It was one of those details that got lost in the
launching rush and Skip pointed out how sticky my sail was going up
and down. Oh yes, I think I forgot to mention that I took Skip and
Lydia sailing while they were in Maine. One regular contributor to
this group, at least, can testify that my boat isn’t imaginary. He
actually didn’t comment on how sticky my sail was but politely
suggested how much smoother it would come down with the application of
some Teflon grease.

Anyway, I took one of those Scotch Brite pads that doesn’t have a
sponge on it and cut it in half. I then put in a row of stitching such
that, when the edges were splayed out, it formed a "T" shape to fit
the track. Close to the stitching, I punched a piece of marline
through and tied it into a loop. I did the same on the other end but
left the marline untied.

Why Scotch Brite? Because it was there and, when all you have is a
hammer, everything looks like a nail. Actually, it has a very open
weave that holds a lot of grease.

I greased it up well, working the grease into the weave and then
inserted it into the mast track with the loop at the top. The halyard
shackle went into the loop. I had previously tied the free end of the
halyard into the shackle because I wanted to be damn sure I got the
halyard back down, whatever might jam.

Next, I put a spare sail slide into the track and tied it closely to
the Scotch Brite. A previous attempt showed this necessary to keep it
from popping out. A final blob of grease in the track ahead of the pad
and I then hoisted it carefully up the mast and pulled it back down.

Judging by how much easier it was to put the sail slides back in the
track, it’s going to be a huge improvement.


--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
I found a cheap, simple, (two of my favorite words) way to lube my
mast track today. It was one of those details that got lost in the
launching rush and Skip pointed out how sticky my sail was going up
and down. Oh yes, I think I forgot to mention that I took Skip and
Lydia sailing while they were in Maine. One regular contributor to
this group, at least, can testify that my boat isn’t imaginary. He
actually didn’t comment on how sticky my sail was but politely
suggested how much smoother it would come down with the application of
some Teflon grease.

Anyway, I took one of those Scotch Brite pads that doesn’t have a
sponge on it and cut it in half. I then put in a row of stitching such
that, when the edges were splayed out, it formed a "T" shape to fit
the track. Close to the stitching, I punched a piece of marline
through and tied it into a loop. I did the same on the other end but
left the marline untied.

Why Scotch Brite? Because it was there and, when all you have is a
hammer, everything looks like a nail. Actually, it has a very open
weave that holds a lot of grease.

I greased it up well, working the grease into the weave and then
inserted it into the mast track with the loop at the top. The halyard
shackle went into the loop. I had previously tied the free end of the
halyard into the shackle because I wanted to be damn sure I got the
halyard back down, whatever might jam.

Next, I put a spare sail slide into the track and tied it closely to
the Scotch Brite. A previous attempt showed this necessary to keep it
from popping out. A final blob of grease in the track ahead of the pad
and I then hoisted it carefully up the mast and pulled it back down.

Judging by how much easier it was to put the sail slides back in the
track, it’s going to be a huge improvement.




Next time smear a little lanolin on it for lubrication (see your
friendly neighborhood pharmacist).

I have seen a tampon used to lubricate a mast where the sail is held
in place my the bolt rope

"Jim," wrote

Next time smear a little lanolin on it for lubrication (see your
friendly neighborhood pharmacist).

The lanolin I have is dark brown and I was afraid any excess would
show up on the sail. The Teflon grease (from a bicycle store) is
clear.

I'm curious why you think it would be better?

--

Roger Long

Roger Long wrote:
"Jim," wrote


Next time smear a little lanolin on it for lubrication (see your
friendly neighborhood pharmacist).


The lanolin I have is dark brown and I was afraid any excess would
show up on the sail. The Teflon grease (from a bicycle store) is
clear.

I'm curious why you think it would be better?


I have a tube of lanolin that's clear -- use it on Turnbuckles, sail
slides -- most everything above deck -- seems to hold on well and not
wash away -- I never tried Teflon

"Roger Long" skrev i melding
...
I found a cheap, simple, (two of my favorite words) way to lube my mast
track today. It was one of those details that got lost in the launching
rush and Skip pointed out how sticky my sail was going up and down. Oh yes,
I think I forgot to mention that I took Skip and Lydia sailing while they
were in Maine. One regular contributor to this group, at least, can testify
that my boat isn't imaginary. He actually didn't comment on how sticky my
sail was but politely suggested how much smoother it would come down with
the application of some Teflon grease.

Anyway, I took one of those Scotch Brite pads that doesn't have a sponge
on it and cut it in half. I then put in a row of stitching such that, when
the edges were splayed out, it formed a "T" shape to fit the track. Close
to the stitching, I punched a piece of marline through and tied it into a
loop. I did the same on the other end but left the marline untied.


Roger,

This was interestin, but due to my lack of knowledge of english terminology
I don't understand. What is a row of stiching? Can you may be supply a
sketch?

regards
Jan

"Jan" wrote

This was interestin, but due to my lack of knowledge of english
terminology I don't understand. What is a row of stiching?

Stitching is what holds your sail and clothes together.

I use on of these:

http://www.speedystitcher.com/

--

Roger Long

Here is a sketch:

Http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/LubeSlide.gif


--

Roger Long



"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
"Jan" wrote

This was interestin, but due to my lack of knowledge of english
terminology I don't understand. What is a row of stiching?

Stitching is what holds your sail and clothes together.

I use on of these:

http://www.speedystitcher.com/

--

Roger Long

"Roger Long" skrev i melding
...
Here is a sketch:

Http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/LubeSlide.gif


--

Roger Long


Thanks, now I get it!

Jan

Shouldn't the track be cleaned first before the grease goes
on, or is this a wasted step?

SBV



"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I found a cheap, simple, (two of my favorite words) way to
lube my
mast track today. It was one of those details that got
lost in the
launching rush and Skip pointed out how sticky my sail was
going up
and down. Oh yes, I think I forgot to mention that I took
Skip and
Lydia sailing while they were in Maine. One regular
contributor to
this group, at least, can testify that my boat isn’t
imaginary. He
actually didn’t comment on how sticky my sail was but
politely
suggested how much smoother it would come down with the
application of
some Teflon grease.

Anyway, I took one of those Scotch Brite pads that doesn’t
have a
sponge on it and cut it in half. I then put in a row of
stitching such
that, when the edges were splayed out, it formed a "T"
shape to fit
the track. Close to the stitching, I punched a piece of
marline
through and tied it into a loop. I did the same on the
other end but
left the marline untied.

Why Scotch Brite? Because it was there and, when all you
have is a
hammer, everything looks like a nail. Actually, it has a
very open
weave that holds a lot of grease.

I greased it up well, working the grease into the weave
and then
inserted it into the mast track with the loop at the top.
The halyard
shackle went into the loop. I had previously tied the free
end of the
halyard into the shackle because I wanted to be damn sure
I got the
halyard back down, whatever might jam.

Next, I put a spare sail slide into the track and tied it
closely to
the Scotch Brite. A previous attempt showed this necessary
to keep it
from popping out. A final blob of grease in the track
ahead of the pad
and I then hoisted it carefully up the mast and pulled it
back down.

Judging by how much easier it was to put the sail slides
back in the
track, it’s going to be a huge improvement.


--

Roger Long

"Scotty" wrote

Shouldn't the track be cleaned first before the grease goes
on, or is this a wasted step?

Sure but I think an advantage of the Scotch Brite pad is that it will
knock off and pick up some stuff as it lubricates. My track was very
bad and worked beautifully yesterday. The main just zipped up and
down yesterday.

I'm interested to hear that paraffin works. (See Rick's reply) I'll
see how much dirt the track picks up this season. That would have to
be applied while the mast is down in my case. I don't trust the
spinnaker halyard (used only for the dinghy at this point) or my kids
enough to go up the mast in a boson's chair.

--

Roger Long