Danger-Boom bolts pulled out

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dkahn

After not sailing for about 6 months due to other commitments, went to go for a July 4 sail. Upon routine rigging condition check, saw to my dismay that 2 of the 3 bolts holding the boom gooseneck to the mast had pulled out entirely and the 3rd was about 3/4 out. Last sail was with reefed main in 25 knots but no problem prior to that last sail. The bolts do not appear stripped but hard to tell if the tapped holes in the mast are stripped. Fortunately, seen in time to avoid sailing with a problem that could have been very serious if the boom detached in the winds on SF Bay. Has anyone had this happen before and, if so, what was the cause? In the event I need to order a new boom and hardware, any suggestions for the best source for a replacement boom for a 1985 Catalina 30?
Definitely confirms the importance of a quick rig check before each sail, even if everything was OK the last time.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,081
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Catalina Yachts should have booms. Other source is local, like Sven's, or KKMI. Why do you think you need a new boom? Find some bolts and fix what you found.
 
Don Guillette

Don Guillette

.
May 17, 2004
2,110
Other Catalina 30 Tucson, AZ
The walls of the mast are relatively thin. Your lucky if you get 3 or 4 threads. That is one of the reasons I did not tap holes in the boom or mast when I was installing Garhauer products. I used a product called a RivNut. They were developed for the aircarft industry and they are also used in any application where the material is thin like attaching mirrors on a school bus or lights on an ambulance. Harbor Freight sells them BUT I don't think they carry the size you need plus, on the bigger sizes I used a more heavy duty rivet type gun.

These RivNuts look like a top hat with threads inside. I've never heard of a bolt pulling out of them. If the RivNut ever did pull out it would take a chunk of the mast or boom with it.

When you reinstall the boom remember to put a coating of anti corrosive between the different metals.

Unless I'm misreading your post I think all you have to do is reattach the hardware to the mast.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom