almost lost my boom

[mikeepp]

I've been hearing some squeaking as my boom swings around at the dock. I'd lubricated the gooseneck before but today I noticed a potential disaster in the making. A pin at the gooseneck which rotates in a socket had worn nearly through which would allow the boom to part from the mast!Mine is an '87 H23 with the Z Spar mast and boom. The fittings are a soft "pot metal" and will wear if rubbing against stainless fittings. I had a similar problem with a vang shackle at the mast base. Anyway........I think the wearing problem might have been caused by my boomkicker which pushes the boom aft and allows it to bob around constantly. I do tie it off laterally but without a topping lift the boom bobs up and down causing constant wear on this pin.I'll attach a picture to show where the problem is. You can't see the damage as I've removed the boomkicker and reinstalled a topping lift until I can get it repaired. I liked the boomkicker but not if it's going to cause me to loose my boom. Any thoughts? Is the boomkicker simply too long?

 

[Paul McGhee]

Cast Aluminum

I don't think that the piece is pot metal, I think it's cast aluminum. They do that to reduce corrosion and fusing from contact between dissimilar metals, since your mast is aluminum.If I recognize it correctly, I think your particular gooseneck/toggle assembly doesn't have any stainless steel parts (some, like mine, have stainless pins). I think you should just count your blessings -- that you spotted this in time-- and order the new parts. I doubt if your boomkicker is the reason. Some boaters carry an extra gooseneck/toggle as a ready spare.

 

[Tom2909]

Use main halyard as topping lift...

I have a rigid vang, and when the sails are stowed, I connect the main halyard to the boom end for added support. Fair winds,Tom

 

[Mark15015]

Missing Bushings

I'm sure that the white nylon bushings which should be present in the gooseneck attachment are missing. Mine got old, broke and fell out also. I had to fabricate 2 new ones from scratch and put them in. If i remember right, I took the lower fitting on the mast off in order to replace them.Check to see if these bushings are there. If not, this is your problem.

 

[mikeepp]

thanks

All good replies. Cast aluminum it is.The main halyard to the end of the boom while at the dock is a great idea. I usually clip the main halyard off to the backstay anyway to keep it from slapping on the mast. Why didn't I think to attach it to the boom end?And as for bushings.............nope, I've never seen any and I'm sure that would help. Yes, I'll have to drill out the lower fitting on the mast and re rivet it to get the new piece in.Thanks again to all.