silicon for a ball mast?

Hi. I have a hobie getaway and the mast has a coupling on the bottom of it that sits on a plastic ball attached to the boat. Lately it has been squeaking alot with every little mast rotation in addition to the ball getting some small grooves on it. Can I just use a waterprof silicon from the local hardware store to keep it lubricated? any other methods/ideas?
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<br>thanks,<br><br>Ssyba
<br>'01 Hobie Getaway

SILICONE would be good.
<br>SILICON would not bad.
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white grease. just a small amount<br><br>

I found a tiny container of clear silicone grease, it looks like a lip stuff (carmex) jar. I think I got it at a surf shop in LA. I use a tiny dab before stepping the mast, then clean it off before traileing and before the next application. It works great.<br><br>

You want to stay away from anything 'greasy' that can attract dirt, dust, or SAND. Silicon spray is widely used in applications where not attracting grit is important (it's pretty inert/nuetral on plastics too) - it does an excellent job of lubrication without attracting grit. Grease with sand in it might stop the squeaking but it will definitely wear the ball much faster than no lubrication at all. I'm an engineer on plastic conveyor equipment and I know this lesson well. I highly recommend a silicon spray lubricant for your squeak.<br><br>[color:blue][b]Jake
<br>[color:blue][b]Nacra 5.2 (2112)