Better Living Through Chemistry

 This used to be DuPont's corporate slogan.  What a great slogan.  What an inspiring motto.  What a disgrace when they tried to run away from the term 'chemistry' back in the eighties, fearing a eco-backlash.  Sure, they did some bad things with chemistry; what corporation hasn't (talking to YOU, 3M, with your Scotchguard).  But still, it said a lot about the power of science to better mankind.  I was offended when they dropped the slogan.

Got the sails back, installed them yesterday with Brian's help.  The main has always been a bugger to raise.  The slugs jammed in the track and it took tremendous effort (not exaggerating) to winch the main up.  Several times last year I was running out of room off a reef because the damn main wouldn't go up.  But, it went up eventually.  I collapsed into a nap.

I realized that I had a spray can of some Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray on board.  Hmmmm...  Says it 'forms a slick coating'.  Hmmmmm.....  Sprayed the slugs on both sides and went to haul the halyard.  OMFG!  The sail went all the way to the top with just me - no winch.  And - it fell down onto the boom just like it's supposed to.  I had to raise the main again, I didn't believe what I had just seen.

So - better living through chemistry.  

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM

    Ground breaking observations, let me know if I've understand this correctly...
    Adding a lubricant to something exposed to friction improves it's functionality?
    Next thing you know, we'll all be greasing hinges, putting Silicone on our scoops and buying the lubricated Trojans.

    ReplyDelete

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