What do you lube your pin with?

[steve77]

I have an old model Forespar Spinnaker pole. I have been having trouble keeping the pin free - it keeps seizing.

I have removed the pin and cleaned it all out, and it is now free and easy. I am wondering the best lubricant to keep this pin from seizing again. I did this about two months ago and used Tef-Gel, but it didn't seem to work.

What do you folks use?

Cheers!

Steve

[Snore]

Sigh.... just one of the differences between CF and SA....

Straight answer would be Boeshield T-9. That stuff can make sand slippery. May need to reapply ever 6 months or so.

[sparrowhawk1]

I'll be nice. I don't know a brand name but there's a hard wax sold in a stick form (sold keep drawers from sticking) that lasts pretty long

[jeepbluetj]

I use mclube. But that's because I have a can on the boat. Works fine. Use it for the sail track too.

[model 10]

Forespar will tell you water. I ended up taking the pin out, polishing the pin and the hole and now almost any lube will work.

[steve77]

Thanks, everyone. I DID ask the question with a straight face, and was wondering what type of responses I would get. That's why I posted a photo to remove ambiguity...

The owner of the boat next door voted for WD-40.

Cheers!

Steve

[sparrowhawk1]

Wd-40 will not last long it was designed to displace water,not lubricate. Light oil won't last, grease is messy, that's why I recommended wax

[Ziggy]

There's a plastic liner inside the fitting, which will be damaged by petroleum-based lubricants like WD-40. I ended up disassembling mine to clean out all the corrosion and now I use only fresh water. If you really want to use a lubricant, try silicone spray.

[George DuBose]

When I bought Skylark, the spinnaker pole hadn't been used for decades. It just sat on the deck, year in, year out. While we were preparing her for crossing the Atlantic, we had to cut the fitting off of the pole to access the interior.

After cleaning it up, we used Lanocote to keep it moving. Lanocote isn't a lubricant, but it sure helps against corrosion returning.

I think the main thing is to work the jaws mechanism often.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk1

I'll be nice. I don't know a brand name but there's a hard wax sold in a stick form (sold keep drawers from sticking) that lasts pretty long

KY was the first thought?

[George DuBose]

but there's a hard wax sold in a stick form

I think you mean bee's wax. It comes in the shape of a dovetail joint to use in drawers and the sliding berth tracks on Skylark are dovetailed.

[Blue Stocking]

Silicone grease from a dive shop. Non-petroleum, won't melt in the sun, won't wash out, won't damage the poly sleeve. 10 years on both ends of my Forespar Telescoping Whisker Pole

[steve77]

Thanks, everyone! I have several alternatives to try.

One thing, however, I don't believe my pole has a plastic sleeve. It would be a great idea, and maybe mine fell out. I'm sure the pole is original equipment and I'm the second owner. Maybe there used to be one, but no more.

Cheers!

Steve

[model 10]

What you had once was an nice perfect anodized surface and a polished stainless surface. That's why they could say all it needs is water. Now that you don't have those perfect surfaces anymore, you need lube.

[ozdigennaro]

"lubricate your pin"? I have lots of suggestions ....