RT27-OB Ski Pole

[Submariner]

2021 boat, the Ski pole, to raise or lower it... there's a latch that must be slide to the port side so that you can raise or lower/secure the ski pole.

Is it normal to have to use a hammer and pound that latch open? (It's been like this since we got the boat, new).

I've hit it with some lubricant, but I've never been able to open/close it with my bare hands. Is there something I can do to loosen it up a bit?

 

[Daveruegger]

Sub, I also have a 2021 R27 OB LE and I do not have any issue with the ski pole. When I get home tonight I will check I do believe you have to push down The pole then release the lever and it pops up . I will check tonight. By the way love the you tube videos.

 

[Daveruegger]

Sorry it took so long to get back with you, I was correct, you have place your palm on top of the poll push down and slide the catch to release it. It has a heavy spring in it. Happy tubbing or skiing 😀

 

[Mike and Sarah]

Yes push down on the pole then slide the lever over. But we have found that salt corrosion happens to the slide lever. The lever sticks and is hard to move. Now we regularly lube the slide lever and pole with something like wd40 or Yamaha silicon spray. No more problem.

 

[Submariner]

I've been hitting my ski pole with Corrosion block, that acts as a lubricant and is supposed to deal with the salt. But still the problems only gotten worse.

This wasn't easy to operate even when we first took delivery on the Des Moines dock, before the boat had any time for salt to be an issue. But I was able to open it with some effort by pushing down on it, and sliding the knob (took considerable force).

The problem has only gotten worse now that the boat is 3 months old. I'm finding that with it in the UP position, I can't even slide the knob without using a screwdriver and a blunt object/hammer, which means, putting it down is just as much a problem as bringing it up.

Anyone ever taken one apart? I'm thinking, dissassembly, clean, lubricate, and put back together.

 

[Daveruegger]

Submariner it appears you might have something else going on with your ski pole if pushing down slightly on the pole and sliding the release does not free the pole you might have something jammed in the released an a disable might Be in order. Never taken mine apart it looks like you might have pull the pole Assy out to get to the backside to disassemble the release.

 

[Submariner]

Update: As the problem has gotten worse over time, today I went to lower the ski pole. The latch on our ski pole can't be opened OR closed without some serious blunt force trauma. It's currently stuck in the open position meaning the pole can go up or down, not latched in either position. Called the factory. They're going to replace it.