Boom Bail

Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Hi all,

The boom bail on our boat has worn the hole through the boom so that it is now an elliptical hole. Is there a bushing (Boom bail bushing) available to fill in the hole or does it have to be welded? My search hasn't been too successful although interesting.

All U Get
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Do you mean like a tube that rests on the boom to carry the load/wear, and not the bolt itself resting/wearing the boom? Probably like the anchor roller?

Jackdaw, I have a boom bail at the aft end of the boom to facilitate a block and tackle for MOB or lifting whatever.
 
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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
On what boat?? I assume you have a 53 footer... That a big boat to have a mainsheet on a bail through the boom.

Remember the exact spot is not super important, you can always move it two inches either way to get to a stouter point.
 
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jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
If I understand the question correctly, meaning, 'is there a part available to fix this,' I would venture 'no.' But all is not lost. One could bore the holes on both sides to a bigger size, and install a compression tube that fits tightly into the new hole. Or, the hole could be welded-up and re-drilled. And there are other options....
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
On what boat?? I assume you have a 53 footer... That a big boat to have a mainsheet on a bail through the boom.

Remember the exact spot is not super important, you can always move it two inches either way to get to a stouter point.
Yes 53 feet. I'm pretty sure it came that way since the PO was the only other owner.


If I understand the question correctly, meaning, 'is there a part available to fix this,' I would venture 'no.' But all is not lost. One could bore the holes on both sides to a bigger size, and install a compression tube that fits tightly into the new hole. Or, the hole could be welded-up and re-drilled. And there are other options....
What would an alternative be?

All U Get
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Do you mean like a tube that rests on the boom to carry the load/wear, and not the bolt itself resting/wearing the boom? Probably like the anchor roller?

Jackdaw, I have a boom bail at the aft end of the boom to facilitate a block and tackle for MOB or lifting whatever.
Bolt through the boom and block for the main sheet hanging under the boom.

done.JPG

All U Get
 
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Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,165
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
This could work.... it's called a "boom bail bearing plate" Click on the picture for clarification.


 
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jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Yes 53 feet. I'm pretty sure it came that way since the PO was the only other owner.



What would an alternative be?

All U Get
I meant that there are a million ways you could repair this. A plate bolted on, etc. I think the best is to bore it out and use a larger diameter compression tube, but you'd have to know what you are doing around metal.
 

JCall

.
May 3, 2016
66
Macgregor 26D Ceasars Creek
Ream out the hole(s) in the boom, then insert the appropriate size bushing. Select the bushing inner diameter based on the diameter of the bolt through the bail. The outer diameter based on the standard size, once the egg shaped hole is reamed round again. The length of the bushing is the width of the boom. These bronze sleeve bushings are for a marine environment, dissimilar metal corrosion should be considered:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#bronze-sleeve-bearings/=1990fhu
 
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Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
Ream out the hole(s) in the boom, then insert the appropriate size bushing. Select the bushing inner diameter based on the diameter of the bolt through the bail. The outer diameter based on the standard size, once the egg shaped hole is reamed round again. The length of the bushing is the width of the boom. These bronze sleeve bushings are for a marine environment, dissimilar metal corrosion should be considered:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#bronze-sleeve-bearings/=1990fhu
Thanks JCall, that's good info.

All U Get
 

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Ream out the hole(s) in the boom, then insert the appropriate size bushing. Select the bushing inner diameter based on the diameter of the bolt through the bail. The outer diameter based on the standard size, once the egg shaped hole is reamed round again. The length of the bushing is the width of the boom. These bronze sleeve bushings are for a marine environment, dissimilar metal corrosion should be considered:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#bronze-sleeve-bearings/=1990fhu
That's technically not a bushing, it's a compression tube, and what I suggested earlier, and the way many booms, including the one on my Catalina 36, are made. If you use aluminum tubing you won't have the dissimilar metals issue. And, aluminum tubing is much easier to find, cheaper, and easier to cut.
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
That's technically not a bushing, it's a compression tube, and what I suggested earlier, and the way many booms, including the one on my Catalina 36, are made. If you use aluminum tubing you won't have the dissimilar metals issue. And, aluminum tubing is much easier to find, cheaper, and easier to cut.
And your local scrap metal dealer should have it in stock. Shouldnt be more than a couple bucks.