Boom Bails

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Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
I am thinking of putting a boom bail on to attach my mainsheet block to. I have boom end sheeting, and am woundering if there is a lot of movement in the bail as the boom moves in and out. I was thinking that the movement might create wear on the screws holding it to the boom. Canthis be a problem or is this not a big deal? I thought of putting a ss washer between the bail and the boom, if this is an issue. Looking forward to all responces. Dale
 
May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
Stress and electrolysis

I like using bails; I use a bail on the boom and one on the mast for my boom vang. You can use one for your mainsheet too. If properly attached, the bail is a sturdy piece of equipment. Use self-tapping screws or rivets to attach to the boom. If you are using screws, be careful of electrolysis. Bails and screws are steel and your boom is probably aluminium. Let the two touch, and you create a battery that will eventually lead to the disintegration of both. Coat the screws with some type of protectant before attaching the bails. I have seen at least one product advertised (I don't remember the name) that is made especially for the marine environment and attaching dissimilar metals. I used some standard anti-seize compound, and I have had no electrolysis in two years. Using washers to help spread the load is always a good idea; however, I would put a piece of neoprene rubber in between the washers and the boom. I cut up an old Croakie and made neoprene washers for my bails.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Thru bolt the bail

Dale: I think that I would select a bail that can be thru bolted with a single bolt. This would add strength to the installation. Use a "nyloc" nut to secure it too. I would also use some nylon/plastic washers between the bail and the boom to seperate the metals.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,194
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Use webbing....

have a sailmaker make you a web harness with a ring sewn in for the mainsheet. Slip it over the boom and you're good to go.
 
S

Scott

Why change your set-up?

Be careful that you aren't significantly changing the point of attachment to the boom because you do not want to create a point of loading that your rig is not designed to accommodate. I think if you are thinking of moving the point of attachment in approximately a foot, you may not have a problem. I agree with Steve's approach. This is a common attachment method and it is used on our 27' Starwind with Kenyon spars. I took ours apart last winter to paint the boom and there was absolutely no loss of integrity after more than 20 years of use. Use the nylon washers and nyloc nuts as Steve says. It wouldn't hurt to verify that the aluminum boom is designed to accommodate the attachment by calling on the spar manufacturer. If the manufacturers name plate isn't on your boom or mast, you may need to investigate. Not providing a description of your boat or spar manufacturer doesn't give us much to go on here.
 
Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
Thanks

Thanks for all of the imput. I now have some things to think about Dale
 
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