Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Hello all, I'm brand new to this forum and very new to mono-hull sailbaots (got a 1978 Catalina 25' shared with my family right now, amazing fun and clean boat!). Actually, I haven't sailed in about 15 years, so this is all new to me again. I'm loving it!
They are a bit difficult to use right now though, probably from lack of cleaning prior to our ownership. Is there a good and safe (for the sail) way to clean them?
I've read that WD-40 would help. Is there a more permanent way to get them to work a little easier? I also was thinking about putting some white grease on them, but am afraid that might damage the sail. Would something like CLR (Calcium, Lime, and Rust remover) work? CLR -> http://www.amazon.com/Calcium-Rust-and-Lime-Remover/dp/B00009EFEX/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8& qid=1413074822& sr=8-2& keywords=clr
Hi Landshark. Like you I've just returned to sailing, and after a darned sight longer than fifteen years. I sailed in another country so much of the jargon and gear is different here in the US to that of my home country, Britain.
I would guess anything that will help free off the snapshackle is worth a try. I doubt it will do the sail any harm provided you clean off whatever gunk you use before hanking the sail to it. Once you free it off, a drop or two of light machine oil should help to keep it workable.
Soaking in CLR might help, but I douby it. I would spray WD40 into the pin and work it a lot while holding it so it drains and repeat a few times. I would follow that with a good cleaning and a dry lube spray like SailKote.
You might try soaking it in vinegar, that'll help break up any corrosion that's going on. If that doesn't work, CLR might do it as well. I had a climbing carabiner that was used last time we went crabbing, then forgotten until I found it earlier this year. I soaked it for several days, then switched over to PB Blaster for about a week. It operates now, but it's still sticky. I'm probably going to run it through my ultrasound cleaner next to see whether I can get it working properly (I'm not particularly hopeful, but figure there's little to lose now).
Where do you keep your boat? I noticed there's a new C-25 in my marina (Jim Clark in West Seattle/Harbor Island), is that yours by chance?
You might try soaking it in vinegar, that'll help break up any corrosion that's going on. If that doesn't work, CLR might do it as well. I had a climbing carabiner that was used last time we went crabbing, then forgotten until I found it earlier this year. I soaked it for several days, then switched over to PB Blaster for about a week. It operates now, but it's still sticky. I'm probably going to run it through my ultrasound cleaner next to see whether I can get it working properly (I'm not particularly hopeful, but figure there's little to lose now).
Where do you keep your boat? I noticed there's a new C-25 in my marina (Jim Clark in West Seattle/Harbor Island), is that yours by chance?
I'm going to try vinegar and and WD-40 first, if that doesn't do the trick then I'll give CLR a try. It's the same issue on my 135% Genoa, but I haven't even taken that out of the sail bag yet, so I'll test it on that one first.
As for the boat, we just moved it down Des Moines Marina from Port Hadlock. I feel really bad moving it from Port Hadlock, it's such a beautiful area with a wonderfully taken care of marina. Des Moines is a LOT closer to where we (my family) all live, and so the boat will get a lot more use being down here.
I do plan on sailing this winter. I'm cleaning up an old Mustang Float Coat that came with the boat and digging into storage for my old hobie cat racing gear (use to race back in my teens) that should help deal with the colder and possibly wetter weather when sailing the fall/winter seasons.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.