Questions regarding boom and gooseneck.

[snoopy_]

Jacktar,

What is the height of your boom inside the mast? I ask because earlier photos of my boat showed the gooseneck slide partially hanging out the gate. Ward suggested loosening up the sail stop to lower the boom so the slide was correctly placed, but I wondered how low it should be. I have a cleat installed in the mast just below the sail stop as well.

Here it is lowered, slide fully inside mast guide:




Then, what effect does that have on the swing of the boom and the back stay? This boat has a split stay, so I assume I split the two stays when under sail. I.E. I disconnect the two, leaving the boom tied to the snap shackle back stay, allowing it to swing free. No?

 

[CloudDiver]

With that much taken off the boom you are better off buying a new boom from CD, sell the extrusion to recover some costs. You won't have any room to get leverage on an outhaul.

 

[Jacktar]

The boom gooseneck is usually set about 4 inches below the gate when sail is down, when up you pull it downward with the downhaul until sail is taut. Unclip the pigtail to the backstay(s) when raising sail, boom has to swing free. With the shortened boom you have I suggest that you purchase the replacement so you start with all the right parts and lengths. Some things can not be fixed and you just have to get the right parts. You can carefully try it on a relatively calm day but it may still not work right.

 

[snoopy_]

Jacktar,

Understood. I hesitated ordering the new boom because I have some fear that the mainsail may not be the correct sail either, and that buying a larger boom could be a waste. I measured both the boom and the mainsail last night. The current boom is 9' 6", not including caps and gooseneck, just the extruded section. The foot of the current main is 9' 6" too. I assume that the extra two inches the PO's patch provided was enough for the jerry rigged setup to work. I looked for a new or replacement mainsail for a Catalina 22, and Amazon.com listed a measurement with the same foot as mine, 9' 6". So if that is the correct sail, a new boom will be worth it. If you still think I should get the new boom, let me know.

https://www.amazon.com/Catalina-Original-Equipment-Style-Mainsail/dp/B00IDUP2HU

Thanks,
Snoopy_

 

[snoopy_]

The boom gooseneck is usually set about 4 inches below the gate when sail is down, when up you pull it downward with the downhaul until sail is taut. Unclip the pigtail to the backstay(s) when raising sail, boom has to swing free. With the shortened boom you have I suggest that you purchase the replacement so you start with all the right parts and lengths. Some things can not be fixed and you just have to get the right parts. You can carefully try it on a relatively calm day but it may still not work right.

Jacktar,

So when I unclip the pigtail from the backstay, it remains connected to the pigtail wire, or is the boom completely free from the secondary wire altogether?

Thanks,

Snoopy_

 

[watercolors II]

I believe the gooseneck fitting was damaged or broke and a previous owner made a repair to salvage what he had. Although rough in appearance I believe it has worked and will work.

Move the set screw down so the boom will slide down the mast slot lower and go sailing. You can purchase all new stuff at thousands of dollars to fix this boat up to be just like a 4 or 5 thousand dollar boat. Learn to sail and you’ll know what to fix or what you’ll need in another boat!

The backend of the boom must be free of the backstay to allow it to swing clear to the side stays on each side. Only attach the boom to the back stay when the mainsail is down to keep it from being in the cockpit when not sailing.

 

[CloudDiver]

Judging from the last picture Snoopy posted, it appears he already has an internal outhaul installed. That is probably why he was able to get away with already having the boom shortened as much as it was.
Snoopy, I think in terms of time and frustration you best course of action would still be to get the new boom, just make sure you salvage that internal outhaul system from you old boom. If not, a repair could still be effected on the gooseneck end of the boom; similar to what was there just executed better. Unless you do all the work yourself it could end up costing you just as much as buying the new boom. If you sell the old boom extrusion to someone with a 19ft boat you could possibly recover $75 to $100.
I'm pretty good with metal. I could find a piece of tubing that would slip over the boom on the gooseneck end and replace the missing few inches you need back and rivet it into place, as well as salvage your old gooseneck fitting and attach it properly to the extension. It would likely cost me less than $20 in material, but unfortunately I'm on the west coast and not close enough to offer that assistance. Just my two cents....

 

[CloudDiver]

BTW, a new main would be money well spent. I'd check out Hyde Sails, Judy is great and I'm very happy with the price and quality of the new sails I got from her.

 

[snoopy_]

CloudDiver,

Thanks for the help. I will order the new boom today, it just makes everything easier. New boom, new gooseneck, new hardware. I will remove the internal outhaul system from the old boom, and any other hardware I see; I think there is a boom vang strap installed on it as well. I compare the old with the new one, take photos, and cannibalize everything I can.

As far as the new sails, that may have to wait. It looks like they take about 3-5 weeks to make and ship, so I am not sure that I would have enough time if I buy them this year. Maybe I can buy them after the season. I am not sure at this point if I will keep what I have, or sell and replace. I actually saw the same boat in much better condition on craigslist and thought about buying that one instead, and selling or donating this one. But it sold yesterday.

Not sure how long it will take for the boom to be made and shipped, so I will sail the boat as is if possible. With the shorter boom though, I think it may prove sloppy... might have to rig something up to extend it if possible. It would have to be strong and safe though.

Thanks,

Snoopy_

 

[snoopy_]

I tried to order the new boom from catalinadirect, but it was a little more money, and a little more difficult than I originally thought.

$264 for Boom + Gooseneck and hardware
$ 33 for Packaging (crate)
$170-$235 for Shipping

Although it was more than I thought, the time it was going to take made me hesitate. 1-6 weeks.

I called around to some aluminum extrusion spar companies, to try and just buy the extruded piece, so I could re-use the gooseneck and end-cap hardware, but none had that same die. So I asked if they could recommend a boom that was close, and buy new gooseneck, etc. I need to do some research before I proceed there. Since the size of this boom is 9' ", I am under the belief that this is not original to the C22; mostly from comments in this forum. Boom is 2" x 2.5", cross section shown here:



WaterColorII,

Thanks for your reply. I took your advice and made the best of the situation. I removed the aluminum patch, intending to but the boom together normally, but with the boom only reaching 9' 6", the same as the sail foot, we decided that the bottom of the sail would be sloppy. So... I placed the patch providing the full 10' of sail. It was in this position at one time, because I didn't have to make any new holes. We used rivets instead of screws, and it feels very solid. The aluminum patch is much thicker than the boom. We also dropped the set screw, so the boom is now lower and can swing free of the back stay. We took it out after the repair and the boat and rigged appeared okay. We also changed out the wood screw in the gooseneck for a clevis pin. The bent screw normally used for the clew of the main is still needed. I am going to try and use the boat as much as possible this summer as is. Then decide to repair or upgrade.



Thanks to all in this forum, I feel I am learning a lot.

Cheers,

Snoopy_

 

[Jacktar]

Well you could still try my suggestion, and to clarify the pigtail stays connected to the back stay but disconnects from the boom so the boom can swing free. If you do not have a topping lift to support the boom begin to raise the sail then unclip the pigtail and the sail will now hold the boom up. Reverse when you drop the mainsail. If your measurements are correct you have enough boom length for the sail you have. See pix for typical topping lift and pigtail setup.

 

[snoopy_]

Jacktar,

What suggestion are you referring to? If it's a good idea I am up for anything.

On this boat, I think it has a split back stay. One stay goes from masthead to transom, and one stops short of the transom with a shackle or clip to support the boom. When I raised the sail, I unclimbed that shackle to allow the boom to swing free. Is this correct? The split stay had a old rusty clamp that held the stays together just above the shackle, kind of like a sewage clamp. I was not shore the rusty clamp is supposed to be there, but without it it would allow the clip part of the stay to sag.

I am fearful putting too much money into this boat, because I am not positive that I will keep it. I am trying to replace or upgrade safety items first, but one thing leads to another. This boat needs all new rigging, standing and running. It needs to be rewired, it currently has no electrics. It needs new or newer sails. New keel winch cable, probably; it was used and kept in salt water for four or five years and the prior owner said he never dropped the keel. I think I am better off buying a well cared for boat, and selling or donating this one. For now, it works. And it feels safe.

Thanks,

 

[Joe]

It's not a "split backstay" It's a single backstay, it supports the mast. The other wire connected to the end of the boom is a "topping lift"... You really need to get a copy of a Catalina 22 owner's manual because you sound like you're way in the dark about basic sailboat rigging.

 

[snoopy_]

Joe,
Are your sure it's a topping lift? From what I can find, a topping lift has some sort of tackle to help raise the boom, mine does not. It's just a cable that the boom hangs from supporting its weight, connected to the masthead. And yes, I have been through the Catalina 22 manual several times, and I don't see anything that discusses "topping lift" or even "uphaul".

http://glenmoresailboats.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/catalina_22_manual.pdf

The manual helps mainly when you purchased your boat new, or it's still in it's original configuration. This boat is a mixed bag as it has parts from other boats, jerry-rigged configurations, etc. So the manual only goes so far. It's only 17 pages, and it doesn't describe or answer all your questions.

As for the split stay, is that when the stay splits in two directions, one to port and one to starboard? After your comments I attempted to search for photos in google, and that's what came up.

Snoopy_

 

[dzl]

Yes, that's a topping lift as far as I understand it anyway. It doesn't have to be adjustable, just something to support the boom.

I think you're on the right track as far as running what you've got until you can find a used extrusion or complete boom you can use. I think your repair is sufficient, although I would maybe run a horizontal piece in between the two sides where it's open there. If put under considerable strain the sides could buckle outwards. Other than that I believe it should be strong enough for your current purposes.

 

[Jacktar]

The suggestion was to lower the goose neck down the track to around 4 inches below the slot used for the sail slugs to be put in and out of the track when you remove it from the boat. Then get a 10 dollar sail stop, a rounded piece that fits in the slot with a knurled knob to tighten it at a location, this will support the goose neck. Then raise your sail but disconnect what we have now determined is the topping lift from the end of the boom. If your sail dimension are ok the bottom of the sail along the boom should be fairly tight. Try it and see, but then eventually you need to buy a boom of the right length.

 

[DrJudyB]

Snoopy,

You could try Dwyer Mast. They have been making masts and booms for small sailboats for ever and ever. I think their DM2 boom and gooseneck fit the specs.They are located near you in New Haven, CT, and will save you a lot of money on shipping.
Ask them for advice on a replacement boom for a C22.. They are knowledgeable. If old Mr. Dwyer is still working, talk to him. He's amazing in the depth of his knowlege.

https://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1ID=30&cat1Name=Booms&familyID=4&familyName=DM-2+Boom

2 Commerce Dr., N. Branford, CT 06471, USA . Phone: (203) 484-0419 . Fax: (203) 484-2014
E-Mail:sail@dwyermast.com

Good luck
Judy B, sailmaker
Hyde Sails Direct.