Do you lubricate dagger boards ?

[Dave_S]

My dagger boards don't slide as nicely as I would like, I was thinking about a wax but also concerned that the wax might build up over time in places I can't get to.

What, if anything, do you use ?

[multihullsailor6]

I have tried marine grease but it was not a success and the result was messy! I understand there is some special sheeting you can glue to the daggerboards provided you the space which is a New Zealand product.

[Redreuben]

It might help if you told people the Brand and model ?

[multi-hulls]

liquid soap...funny I just pulled mine today to "rework it"

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Redreuben

It might help if you told people the Brand and model ?

A Schionning Waterline

[Dave_S]

I thought about soap but its one of the things I thought might build up in the casing do you have any trouble with it ?

I can't find the adhesive sheeting from NZ but I did find this.

SailKote Marine Dry Lubricant & Coating for Sails, Rigging, Deck Hardware and more. - McLube

Sounds like it might work ? Anyone used it ?

[belizesailor]

SailKote is good stuff and I expect would help w dagger boards.

[44'cruisingcat]

I've never needed to use anything.

It sounds like the case is too tight. Maybe a build up of antifoul over the years?

IMO you're more likely to improve it by sanding material off than by adding film or whatever.

[Bean Counter]

When your boat is stationery do they slide up and down easily?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by multi-hulls

liquid soap...funny I just pulled mine today to "rework it"

Same here. It did not build up.


You don't need to use it "straight." a few teaspoons per gallon of water is enough. Generally they only stuck when dry, so I would pour this in before I lowered them. Always worked.

[fxykty]

You can put McLube HullKote on them - a super slippery polish that lots of dinghy sailors use for faster hulls. We put it on our boards to smooth hoisting them now that the plastic strips in the cases are wearing out. www.mclubemarine.com/hullkote/

But if your boards are tight in their cases then sanding of excess anti foul will be needed regardless of what coating you put on them.

[Franziska]

If soap or wax would ever build up, just pour some hot water or feed a pressure washer hose into the board case.
I reckon it would build up very slowly anyway.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

I've never needed to use anything.

It sounds like the case is too tight. Maybe a build up of antifoul over the years?

IMO you're more likely to improve it by sanding material off than by adding film or whatever.

Your probably right, the boards have lots of freedom at the top but tight at the bottom.

When stationary we can't move them with ropes alone, someone has to jiggle them at the same time. I was going to pull them out this weekend to see but thought I would lubricate them while I was at it.

I read a dagger board V's keel review which said they can be adjusted on the run. There is no way these will move when the boats moving, even if I take the lateral load off.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

When your boat is stationery do they slide up and down easily?

No, we have to jiggle them.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

I can't find the adhesive sheeting from NZ but I did find this.

SailKote Marine Dry Lubricant & Coating for Sails, Rigging, Deck Hardware and more. - McLube

Sounds like it might work ? Anyone used it ?

We use this on the very tight fitting dagger boards on a foiling beach cat.

Without the sailkote the boards are a bear to work. With the sailkote the boards slide smoothly. There is no real buildup either.

Keep in mind you need two smooth surfaces in the first place (carbon/epoxy on acetal bearing surfaces). If your on bottom paint against gel coat, you’ll need to explore other options.