tophatyachts.com

Hi Guys / Gals ,

Just wondering how often Top Hat 1-3 owners :

1) how do you lubricate your Mainsail Tracks , especially higher reaches of mast ?
2) how often you lubtricate it ?
3) what lubrication is commonly used ?

Thanks ,

Brad
DESIREMK1

Brad,

I use one of the small pump action lubricators, such as Linux, [think thats correct] but any type should do.
About $10 a bottle.

I use it when the slides start to jam. Important not to over use as fine particles from the aluminium mast will stain your sail.

To get higher up you have to apply a bit more to the upper couple of slides and just work the sail up and down until you carry the lube right up the mast.

There may be other ways and better lubes out there that I'm not aware of.

Hi Brad,

I use one of the silicone sprays as often as it needs it.

If I go out every week, the track stays pretty free so might only use the spray once every couple of months but when I haven't used the boat for a period it pays to spray up the track as high as I can reach and on the first few slugs.

The sail-maker spoke to me of a method to clean the track using a piece of wooden dowel (aprox 100mm long) wrapped around with sandpaper with the two ends of the sandpaper exiting the slot (so you can hold it) and work it up the mast all the way to the top. He did not recommend lubricant of any kind saying that it ends up on the sail, staining it.

Cheers,

Tom

Hi Guys ,

Thanks for the advice , it seems it's a common problem that all Sailboat Owners face . With my last outing , I was onboard our Mk1 , when the Mainsail got stuck on the higher reaches , due to a dry track , and possibly plastic slides , instead of metal ones , as I feel the metal ones would be less problematic .

Thanks ,


Brad
DESIREMK1

I used to use lube on the mainsail track, but 5 yrs ago I bought a new main. The new (well 5 yr old) slides still run smooth and I have not had to use lube over this period. I suspect if you keep the track clean and the slides are in good shape lube is not needed. As others have suggested, If you do use a lube make sure it is one that does not dry greasy or attract dirt as this will eventually make your problems worse.

On old trick is to use a bit of dish washing liquid on the slides ( it lubricates and cleans the track and slugs when it rains). Or you can pay big money for a fancy spray like sailkote.


Cheers,
Mark

Tom & Mark,

With my mast coming out this weekend I think I'll clean the track and try the liquid soap method.

Would really be nice to keep the sail clean for a change.

Hi Guys ,

Would Lithium White Grease provide a useful solution for this concern ? , I believe a white based alternative would at least ensure sails do not become visually impaired .


Brad
DESIREMK1

Hi Brad,

Problem with grease is that it is made up of 2 parts, the lubricant (liquid) and a filler.
As the liquid lubricant dries out one is left with a thicker brew which gums things up.

Really we should not need lubricant of any type but the corrosion etc which builds up in the track creates friction so lubrication is the easy way out.

The type which dries completly (silicon) is the less offensive.

I like the sound of the dish washing liquid but have not used it.

Over the years I have found plastic slugs quite ok as long as they are the correct size. Too small and they tend to tilt and stick.
I generally use a metal slug on the top because it gets a lot more abuse.
I use a longer plastic slug adjacent to the full length battern.

Cheers,

Tom

Hi Tales ,


I have CT110 ( i think its called ?? ) Truck Wash product , onboard our Mk1 that I used on the track last week , it seemed to work well , though i applied it sparingly towards the end of my 3 day stint onboard for the 1st time , which seemed to work well on the bottom of th re track .

Brad
DESIREMK1