Bearing lubrication for Mast Rotation?

[Hardcrab]

I would suggest that a fourth SS washer (or another thrust washer if you have it) be included in the final build up.
This order of reassembly would be:
bottom SS plate with welded bolt,
three well lubed thrust washers,
rotating SS mast plate,
"additional well lubed SS/thrust washer",
and lastly, the Nylok SS nut.
Tighten the nut just enough to take out the slop and still allow for slight drag "feel" to the rotation of the plates in hand.

Spray type lubes are good for light duty use if you drop your mast to trailer all the time.
Easy to give it fresh squirt regularly.
But if you keep your mast up 24/7, then a longer lasting grease might be the better choice.
The good ones for this type of application would be something like a white lithium grease, Lubriplate, or even a good anti-seize compound.
All should be found in a good auto parts store.

Either way, it all should come apart, say once a year, to get everything cleaned up, adjusted, and back to new.

[Divecoz]

I find this all very helpful... and Anti-seize? Dagnabbit why did that idea NEVER cross my mind?? Talk about a product that is Water impervious!! Hot Water and SOAP Impervious!! hahahah dont ask

I would suggest that a fourth SS washer (or another thrust washer if you have it) be included in the final build up.
This order of reassembly would be:
bottom SS plate with welded bolt,
three well lubed thrust washers,
rotating SS mast plate,
"additional well lubed SS/thrust washer",
and lastly, the Nylok SS nut.
Tighten the nut just enough to take out the slop and still allow for slight drag "feel" to the rotation of the plates in hand.

Spray type lubes are good for light duty use if you drop your mast to trailer all the time.
Easy to give it fresh squirt regularly.
But if you keep your mast up 24/7, then a longer lasting grease might be the better choice.
The good ones for this type of application would be something like a white lithium grease, Lubriplate, or even a good anti-seize compound.
All should be found in a good auto parts store.

Either way, it all should come apart, say once a year, to get everything cleaned up, adjusted, and back to new.

[Highlander]

Rich,

Did not know that J is a fresh water kinda guy. But no big deal. It was so easy to take base plate off and get to the washers that I will do it a lot more often. Even with 5+ years of oxidation on them it still rotated...just not real good.

I bet after I clean and lubricate with Sail Kote it will be a big improvement.

Cheers,
Jim

Rich
If you spray them once a month takes about 15sec'c , no need to take apart to do this just spray the base plate it's a clear coating ,you'll have no problem in fresh or salt water or in your case Muddy Water's ! Sail Kote goes on wet seals the surface with a slippery coating when dry

No I'm not that Kinda FRESH Guy but then again I've not been sailing with that Jim "pantyhose" Guy either yet !

J
PS Sorry Jim could not help myself

[c130king]

You'se guys...stop it...

or I will hit you with my purse...errr...I mean "man bag"...

[Highlander]

You'se guys...stop it...

or I will hit you with my purse...errr...I mean "man bag"...

Holly Cripes
I've got one of these also , up here we call them Fanny Bags !!

J

[c130king]

Washers cleaned with Rum and Coke...

Washers lubed with White Lithium Grease ($3.49 at Auto Zone)...

Mast base put back together and re-installed on the mast...

Mast in the vertical position...

All of this took about 20 minutes...

And I can tell a big difference in ease of rotation just by using my hands to rotate the mast...

[Catigale]

Jim - I wonder if you will have to pull the mast the last little bit of rotation any more since you did this??

Dr Pantyhose

[c130king]

Jim - I wonder if you will have to pull the mast the last little bit of rotation any more since you did this??

Dr Pantyhose

Dr. P,

Just judging by how easy it rotates by hand sitting in my driveway with no boom or sail attached I would say I won't have to do the "manual assist" as much I used to...

I will let you know at some point while I am sailing down in Florida at the end of this month.

Cheers,
Col "Man Bag"

[K9Kampers]

Washers cleaned with Rum and Coke...

Washers lubed with White Lithium Grease ($3.49 at Auto Zone)...

Mast base put back together and re-installed on the mast...

Mast in the vertical position...

All of this took about 20 minutes...

And I can tell a big difference in ease of rotation just by using my hands to rotate the mast...

But isn't it true that everything is a little bit easier when you start with Rum and Coke?!!!

[Highlander]

Yep
And after a few everything seams to tip over flawlessly !!

J