Bill-- Is there a lubricant for the mainmast track to make mainsails with slugs easier to raise? --Rusty
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Yup
I use "sail Kote" but I'm told pretty much any silicon spray will work. Clean the track before you apply.
I use "sail Kote" but I'm told pretty much any silicon spray will work. Clean the track before you apply.
McLube Sailkote and
clean the track inside and out with a soft rag soaked with solvent. Then using a piece of cardboard shaped like a "t" (with the top of the "t" inside the track and holding the stem) spray McLube into the track so the "t" deflects the spray onto the inside of the track where the slugs contact it. Run the whole length of the mast. Also spray each slug as you fold it into the track. It made a huge difference for me.
clean the track inside and out with a soft rag soaked with solvent. Then using a piece of cardboard shaped like a "t" (with the top of the "t" inside the track and holding the stem) spray McLube into the track so the "t" deflects the spray onto the inside of the track where the slugs contact it. Run the whole length of the mast. Also spray each slug as you fold it into the track. It made a huge difference for me.
Sail Kote
I've been very pleased with the Sail Kote product. It doesn't stain the sail. I'm not sure how it compares to other similar products or plain silicone spray. The previous advice concerning cleaning the track makes sense too. Good luck.
I've been very pleased with the Sail Kote product. It doesn't stain the sail. I'm not sure how it compares to other similar products or plain silicone spray. The previous advice concerning cleaning the track makes sense too. Good luck.
Track Lubrication
Rusty, There are some good lubricants such as McLube, or teflon/silicone sprays. Make sure you are using a dry lubricant as opposed to anything greasy, which will only make the problem worse over time. It is important to thoroughly clean the track of any dirt or old lubricant before you apply anything new. Often a nice clean mast track doesn't need any lube at all. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
Rusty, There are some good lubricants such as McLube, or teflon/silicone sprays. Make sure you are using a dry lubricant as opposed to anything greasy, which will only make the problem worse over time. It is important to thoroughly clean the track of any dirt or old lubricant before you apply anything new. Often a nice clean mast track doesn't need any lube at all. Thanks, Bill C. Doyle Sails
Dish Soap
Yes it sounds crazy, but I have a friend that regularly uses dish soap (Dawn, Joy, etc) as track lube. The slide slide better and it washes the track instead of goooing it up!
Yes it sounds crazy, but I have a friend that regularly uses dish soap (Dawn, Joy, etc) as track lube. The slide slide better and it washes the track instead of goooing it up!
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