Morgan 34 - 1969 - mainsail out haul

[TedWelshMorgan34-8884]

Hello - I recently inherited a 1969 Morgan 34. While putting up the main for the first time this year I noticed that after clipping in the main sail to the forward part of the boom the mainsail out haul was pulled all the way back and I have no idea how to release it? I can't pull the main back far enough to aft part of the boom to secure it. On the forward part of the boom I can put a winch handle in and crank it further out to pull the main tighter but it won't budge in the other direction. There is a small hole directly in front of the winch handle hole in the boom which looks large enough for a small flat head screw driver - which I think may be the release but that won't budge? Does anyone have and idea, experience or advice on how to release the out haul?

Thank you

 

[kappykaplan]

Ted, some photos would help us help you.

 

[TedWelshMorgan34-8884]

Good call - here are pictures of the

 

[sailnoproblem]

I am not sure but I believe there is a cable inside the boom that might have got stuck in the gear track.
I mention this because it happened to me.

 

[TedWelshMorgan34-8884]

Does that mean I will have to pull it apart every and reset it?
Also does that mean there is no release for it like there is on every other winch on the boat?
Thank you for the response.

 

[Capt jgw]

I think I have that same boom on my Columbia. Look on the bottom, aft of the winch socket. Mine has push button there. You have to take the load off with the winch handle before the button will push in. It's kind of like a trailer winch inside, a drum and a locking pawl. You can't release the pawl with tension on it.

 

[TedWelshMorgan34-8884]

Okay I will try that. I actually think I saw something there.

Also any good websites to order Teak from? - for a 1969 this thing has held up well but I need to replace pretty much all the teak - hardest to find is the thin strips for the cockpit floor and entryway sliding hatch door. Google search is not cutting it.

 

[Capt jgw]

It took me a while to find it too. You can get Ipe at Menards, they call it "poor mans teak". Hard to tell the difference, and it holds up just as well.

 

[rardiH36]

I don't know how attached you are to the boat or your need to maintain to original appearance. But if not, don't rule out even painting the teak rather than replacing. Might make many cringe, but painting works for me on my 1980 Hunter. Here is a link to a post I did a couple of years ago to a thread on teak refinishing. With pictures of my "teak".

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/refinishing-the-teak.174241/#post-1235930