McLube liberally sprayed up into the socket does nothing--any suggestions for a durable grease to kill that sound? I think my Inter 17R has a teflon ball... Thanks.

Hi:



We use teflon based trailer ball grease on our mast base and ball. I also think that any grease with Molybdenum disulfide in it, such as constant velocity joint grease will be more than adequate. If you don't have your rig down, you can get the grease into the important places by slacking off your shrouds as much as possible, sticking a block of wood next to the mast base, and then levering the mast up off of the ball with a prybar. Don't pop it off the ball. Shove the grease into the appropriate area with a Q tip or something other than fingers.



No grease is gonna free up a scored ball / base combination. If your ball looks like hell replace it. Smoothing out the mast base with fine sandpaper is a good idea as well.



-Greg

The Inter mast do not fit the ball very well (round ball and round but flat mast base). Get a new ball and dip it in mold release. clean the mast base and mix up some marine tex or something similar put some marine Tex in the mast base and push the ball into the base tape and let dry. Pop the ball out and trim the excess Marine Tex with a Dremal tool. Now you have a perfect fit that won't wear. I did this on my I 20 and sailed it for 1000 miles and don't have any wear.

I use a waterproof bicycle grease.



I have seen people use almost anything. The old style Bullfrog Screen works great and if you get it on you, just rub it on your nose

I went the lazy man route and bought the Hobie chips that fit on their masts. I put one disc in the mast socket, and put the mast on. The teflon disk seats itself, and viola'... no more noise. Of course, I replaced the mast ball prior to this in order to keep everything nice. The old one was looking more cylindrical than round (and made that nasty squawking sound. This noise almost put me in therapy in a long distance light air race, but thankfully, the crew had me in therapy long before that!

Here is a photo of finished job.



David

Go to a decent bike shop and buy White Lightning chain lube. It is a parafin wax solution that dries pretty much clear and creates a nice coating on the ball. ALSO, this stuff works great on the luff bead of the sail. It soaks into the bead and makes it go up the mast with ease. It is invisable when applied to a white sail. Expect to pay about $5. Been using it for 3 years. Stay away from any kind of grease since it will get on your sails and clothing.