Issue 27: Nov/Dec 2002
IF THERE’S ONE THING EVERY BOAT should have on board, it’s a pot of Vaseline (“goo” as it’s known on Siandra!) This age-old concoction has hundreds of applications that would be a complete surprise to the manufacturer. Here are our favorites:
• A thin smear of goo over freshly polished brass or bronze slows down the tarnishing process and keeps it gleaming for ages. It’s especially worth using this trick on exterior fittings: the jelly acts as a barrier between the surface of the metal and corrosive elements like salt air and seawater. Very popular with the ship’s polisher!
• Rub Vaseline into external leather trim to keep it supple and protect it from the weather. We also use it for waterproofing our deck shoes.
• It makes an excellent lubricant for freshwater fittings — especially hand pumps. It doesn’t have a heavy metal base like grease, so it won’t poison you if it gets into your water supply.
• Windvane steering lines are prone to chafing at the turning blocks. Between Australia and England, we tried a number of remedies, including soaking the vulnerable section of line with 3-in-1 oil and rubbing it with soap or dishwashing liquid. Vaseline gets our vote because it’s clean, colorless and not so messy to apply. Unlike oil, if it finds its way onto the cockpit seats or your clothes, it doesn’t matter.
• Snaps on covers and spray hoods have a tendency to corrode during the season, making them impossible to unsnap. Spread Vaseline liberally on the outside of the stud and the inside of the top before closing, and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
• A dollop of goo on your ship’s battery terminals (or any other electrical connection) prevents salt-air corrosion.
• It’s the perfect lubrication for brass headsail hanks — keeps the spring working freely without staining the surrounding sailcloth.
As it says on the label of our favorite brand of pickle: “the number of ways you can use this product are limited only by your imagination”!
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
