Sheave Lubrication

[First Mate]

tried the search engine only got diesel engine hits

what do you recommend for lubricating the sheaves on the dingy davits

thanks!

[Jimbo2010]

McLube

[First Mate]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

McLube

thought maybe you were trying to be funny, so googled it.

McLube : Moly & PTFE Lubricants



there actually is a series of products put out by McLube. thanks for the tip. will research it a bit.

actually, the spouse sent the davit manufacturer an email asking how to get the blocks to release the lines and drop the dingy. found out davits are way oversized. the manufacturer suggested reducing purchase or adding the engine to the dingy to get enough weight on the blocks to get the davit blocks to move. the spouse will try that next.

but it is always nice to know about useful products. Thanks! The McLube products appear at first glance to be very high quality and high tech.

[Sailmonkey]

If you have too much friction you can also try a smaller diameter line. Most time when I've been on charter cats the lines were way too large for the davits causing hate and discontent.

[First Mate]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

If you have too much friction you can also try a smaller diameter line. Most time when I've been on charter cats the lines were way too large for the davits causing hate and discontent.

sounds like an excellent solution - thus keeping the assistance of all the available purchase. will pass that on to the captain/installer.

hate and discontent. lots of that on boats - wonder why? ;=>

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by First Mate

hate and discontent. lots of that on boats - wonder why? ;=>

Only towards the offending article......animate or inanimate makes no difference

[daddle]

Usually the blocks on these things are way too small for the line. 3/8" line requires a 2.5" sheave minimum (7x) if you value ease of use. And there's a trick to running the line so the tackle does not twist up. And new soft line helps too - not the 40 year old cruising boat stuff. The sheaves must be ball bearing. Wash with water. Maybe McLube.

[First Mate]

Originally Posted by daddle

Usually the blocks on these things are way too small for the line. 3/8" line requires a 2.5" sheave minimum (7x) if you value ease of use. And there's a trick to running the line so the tackle does not twist up. And new soft line helps too - not the 40 year old cruising boat stuff. The sheaves must be ball bearing. Wash with water. Maybe McLube.

These sheaves are plastic with metal pins. oh well. will make do with the cheaper quality since light loads are involved anyway - 123# without the motor. Have two davits supporting that load.

But next time we're looking for a block system elsewhere on the boat, will be checking for a higher quality metal and ball bearing system.

the captain has reduced purchase and solved problem for this situation, but very useful to understand all the different elements that affect blocks and tackles.

By the way - what is the trick for keeping tackle from twisting?

[Hydra]

Originally Posted by First Mate

By the way - what is the trick for keeping tackle from twisting?

To prevent any tackle from twisting, just don't coil the fall into loops: this would twist the rope on itself when you pay it out. IME, when I fold the fall of the mainsheet in zigzags, the tackle doesn't twist.

Alain

[daddle]

Originally Posted by First Mate

By the way - what is the trick for keeping tackle from twisting?

I recall some helpful ideas for this on the Harken web site. But you can probably figure it out by trying different ways of running the line between the blocks. The obvious symmetrical method causes a twist, somehow. You need to cross over and have sheaves turning opposite ways on the same block. But you don't want the line rubbing on itself.