Boom oxidation on a Cat 30

[John]

I purchased a 1977 Cat 30 last summer. The boat had been left uncovered with the sails on for two years. The main is shot and I am having a new one made. However, the old main has several areas where black oxidation has depsoited on the sail. Has anyone else experienced this problem? What might be the best way, and What is a recomended material or cleaner to use to remove the aluminium oxidation from the boom. I dont want to get the new main dirty with this back deposit. Thanks for your help. JY hull 593

 

[Rick]

My experience

I just finished rebuilding the boom on my 86 C30 because the rigging inside was shot and there was a significant amount of oxidation. Also, all the screws were oxidized in place so when I tried to take them out they just twisted off. My boat had sat out for a year or so and was in bad shape.I took an orbital wood sander and sanded the entire boom and then went over that with the aluminum cleaner they use on pontoon boats. I had to take everything off and drill and retap most of the screw holes. I had a local shop weld over the ones that could not be retapped. The only way I found to get the oxidation off is to sand it off. Nothing else on the market I could find even touched it.I had the same oxidation on the mast but just touched it up and then put the aluminum cleaner on the entire mast.The boom turned out great but it was a frustrating process. I had to purchase most new rigging on the boom but that's life.Good luck

 

[foamy]

Powder coat boom

I had a morgan 27 that I removed all componets and had it powder coated. You may want to go that route. It was done over 12 years ago and I see the boat everynowandthen, still looks new.

 

[Rick]

Powder Coating

I considered going the paint or powder coating route but was told by a couple of people that once you paint it you'll be painting it forever.