squeaking mast ball

This is driving me crazy! Especially when hungover. The mast base squeaks and groans on the ball. We were so desperate one day we had to squirt sun block on it. That fixed it temporarily. It had enough friction to force the ball to turn with the mast. I epoxied the ball to the threaded rod and coated it with T9 Boeshield. That worked for a couple of days and the sounds started again. Now I shoot it with wd40 before I sail. I ordered some sailkote and I'll drop the mast to get a good covering but I think anything will just wash and wear off. I guess a new ball would fix this? Does this happen to anyone else?

Captain Han Winogrond, Sail Safaris Inc
Beach Cat rentals, guided tours and lessons
St John, US Virgin Islands
http://www.sailsafaris.net
toll free(866)820-6906 mobile(340)626-8181
[email protected]

Sand / polish the inside of the base casting. Use a bearing or lithium grease on top of the ball. That should do it.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks Matt,

I've checked for a rough surface on the mast casting and it was smooth. I'll sand it with a very fine paper and grease it.

While we're on the subject the mast seems to over-rotate quite a bit. I have a bungee going from the padeye on the cross bar up to the padeye on the front of the mast and back to the other padeye on the other side of the cross bar. At that angle the bungee doesn't offer much resistance and the chafing on the bungee is severe. Should I use less flexible line? Was this the original design for the boat?

Captain Han Winogrond, Sail Safaris Inc
Beach Cat rentals, guided tours and lessons
St John, US Virgin Islands
http://www.sailsafaris.net
toll free(866)820-6906 mobile(340)626-8181
[email protected]

Rotation on the Getaway is uncontroled. Same as the 17 Sport, Wave. Rotation is restricted by sheeting the main.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Han, dude, grease is no good as it catches sand, (an abrasive), I just got some of the white mast bearings from the dealer and I have no more offensive squeaking. Buy a few so you'll always have one.

So nice to know I'm not the only one with a squeaky ball. I've gone through several "mast bearings" but since they're designed for a H16 style mast base they seem to work themselves off the mast ball. I'm using grease right now and if it starts again I'm going to try replacing the ball and maybe using sailkote or wax?

Go with wax as it will flake off over time and take the sand and other stuff with it. I use a wax based chain lubricant on my bike chain for this very reason. Go you your local mountian bike shop. They should have some.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

I have good luck with McLube dry coat, the fix works for months.