MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Lubricant

To get away from Estate Agent jokes and back to the real purpose of the forum I would like to ask does anyone use a lubricant on the luff and foot of their mainsails and if so what do you recommend?


Posted: 16/03/2006 12:58:02
By: Garry R
I know when I was living in the states, everybody was spraying McLube in their tracks and on their bolt ropes, I think any thing silicone based should work.


Posted: 16/03/2006 13:02:20
By: MR 1018
i bought a can of HOLT lube from the chandlers, seems to do the trick as hoisting my mainsail takes way too much effort - used to knacker me out before i had even left the beach...


Posted: 16/03/2006 13:28:38
By: Mags
The silicon lubricant that is used for curtain tracks works just as well and is cheaper.


Posted: 16/03/2006 13:31:51
By: Slick
holt prolube works well and lasts a fair while


Posted: 16/03/2006 13:54:04
By: john
There is a PTFE spray called "Fluroglide", I guess any PTFE spray would do I think North or Sobstadt sell one too, but how about the dry spray for healthy frying that's PTFE too.


Posted: 16/03/2006 15:37:01
By: Ancient Geek
Funny you should say that - I have just sourced some PTFE spray in the lab!!!


Posted: 16/03/2006 15:39:58
By: Garry R
Rubbing a candle on the luff works pretty well.


Posted: 16/03/2006 16:22:19
By: Chris M
I use a spray made for lubricating yarn for machine knitting! It's similar to the sailkote stuff but a lot cheaper price. It can also be mail ordered from BSK (Bedford Sewing and Knitting) in Bedford or bougt from machine knitting shops.


Posted: 16/03/2006 18:28:21
By: PJ
Would any of these help ease a new-size spinnaker through the chute and over a high tank?


Posted: 17/03/2006 08:54:22
By: Bill
I know that you can 'revive' an old spinni that has lost it's waterproofness with McLube, by literally spraying the whole thing, both sides.  On skiffs it helps the kite go through the gybe without glueing onto the jib.  It lasts a few months normally but with huge expensive sails works really well.  Will it work on a merlin chute - maybe!


Posted: 17/03/2006 09:01:30
By: Mark
I wonder whether for a whole spinnaker would something like NikWax wash work OK?


Posted: 17/03/2006 09:24:35
By: Garry R
For a spinnaker I regret the only really good solution is a new kite made of slippery cloth! A bit of PTFE on the hole thingy helps but not a lot!


Posted: 17/03/2006 10:23:19
By: Ancient Geek
The knitting spray certainly eased the newer spinnaker through the tiny chute and down the 6 inch or less drainpipe over the buoyancy bag!!


Posted: 17/03/2006 13:47:57
By: PJ
We sprayed both chute and kite. Adds water repellancy as well.


Posted: 17/03/2006 13:48:51
By: PJ
Ah, but how much weight did it add?!


Posted: 17/03/2006 14:13:34
By: Mags
Something negative coz the kite didn't get sodden!


Posted: 17/03/2006 19:35:35
By: PJ
I think this started as a bolt rope question?
The Vintage Section would perhaps prefer the traditional solution with wooden masts and booms which was Candle Wax on the leading portion of the sail (clew or head)depending if foot or luff!
"His best friends called him candle ends his enemies toasted cheese." Grateful thanks to my Housemaster who made me learn "The Hunting of the Snark"!


Posted: 18/03/2006 10:31:12
By: Ancient Geek
Actually 'intimate friends' but that's boarding school for you.


Posted: 20/03/2006 08:35:18
By: Bill
Your right I must be getting old!


Posted: 20/03/2006 10:15:17
By: Ancient Geek
Quote from a seminar in the Scottish Parliament that I attended last year
'.....and for those of us who are getting older.....'

The mind boggles.


Posted: 20/03/2006 14:03:35
By: Bill
Does this imply that politicians are now also able to purchase eternal youth (or am I thinking of Mark Outen)!!!!!!


Posted: 20/03/2006 14:19:21
By: Garry R

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