I have been experiencing some creaking sounds coming from the attachment point of the boom to the mast. I can mitigate some of the noise by adjusting the vang but can't eliminate it completely. I usually start to hear the creaking at 12 knots and higher. Normal? Cause for concern? I've checked the attachment point and there are no cracks, stress fractures (that are visible), and none of the rivets appear to be pulling loose. Thanks. Michael
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It needs lube, but what kind is the question....
I have the same issue on my h40.5. The boom swings back and forth at anchor and creaks after a while. It is clearly the goose-neck fitting, aluminum on the stainless pin. I've tried several different lubricants. Nothing I've tried is satisfactory. Oil is definitely too light for the job- I tried it once and it ended up dripping out onto the deck- VERY difficult to clean. Superlube grease works OK but tends to ooze out and get on the sail. If only a light coating of Superlube grease is used, the squeak is quiet for a while BUT it returns. My challenge seems to be to find a lube that will work for the whole season and doesn't ooze out on the sails. I'm still looking.
I have the same issue on my h40.5. The boom swings back and forth at anchor and creaks after a while. It is clearly the goose-neck fitting, aluminum on the stainless pin. I've tried several different lubricants. Nothing I've tried is satisfactory. Oil is definitely too light for the job- I tried it once and it ended up dripping out onto the deck- VERY difficult to clean. Superlube grease works OK but tends to ooze out and get on the sail. If only a light coating of Superlube grease is used, the squeak is quiet for a while BUT it returns. My challenge seems to be to find a lube that will work for the whole season and doesn't ooze out on the sails. I'm still looking.
Galling of stainless steel
Your gooseneck is most probably made of stainless steel. Stainless steel has a problem when it slides unlubricated on mating part also made of stainless steel. When the pressure that 'push' the two stainless surfaces together, stainless begins to form minute 'welds' ... and that 'creaking' is the sound of the formation of teeeeny welds forming and breaking - the 'technical' term for this is 'galling'. Lanolin is probably the best lubricant for stainless to prevent 'galling'. Boat and rigging supply stores sell it under the trade name "lanocote' (or simply get your lanolin from a drug store) ..... use it on all your rigging/turnbuckle screws so that under hard torque the screws dont permanently 'weld themselves together' or gall. <g>
Your gooseneck is most probably made of stainless steel. Stainless steel has a problem when it slides unlubricated on mating part also made of stainless steel. When the pressure that 'push' the two stainless surfaces together, stainless begins to form minute 'welds' ... and that 'creaking' is the sound of the formation of teeeeny welds forming and breaking - the 'technical' term for this is 'galling'. Lanolin is probably the best lubricant for stainless to prevent 'galling'. Boat and rigging supply stores sell it under the trade name "lanocote' (or simply get your lanolin from a drug store) ..... use it on all your rigging/turnbuckle screws so that under hard torque the screws dont permanently 'weld themselves together' or gall. <g>
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