I like that idea. So, no bolts into the mast itself?
-----Original Message----- >From: Robert Mann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: May 13, 2006 8:48 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: boom connection > >Why not just contact Catalina Direct and get a new, adjustable >connection? I replaced mine a couple years ago. I think it was $70. >My boom rides in the sail slide track. This allows you to raise the >boom to various different heights, or to use a down-haul to tighten the >luff. I have an '85. > >Bob Mann >Windcatcher > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:catalina27- >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jeffery L. Sheler >> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 5:12 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: catalina27-talk: boom connection >> >> OK, so I decided to raise the boom about 7 inches on the mast to allow >> more >> headroom in the cockpit and possibly make room for a bimini some day. >(I >> have 10 to 12 inches leeway at the top of the mast when the mainsail >is >> fully raised.) I disconnected the boom by pulling the pin at the >> gooseneck, >> and with some difficulty removed four bolts that fasten the bracket to >the >> mast. In the process, I stripped one bolt and had to drill it out, >which >> also ruined the threads on the receiving end of the bracket. (The >bolts >> screw into the bracket and pass on through holes drilled into the >mast, >> which also have a slight thread.) I drilled new holes into the mast at >the >> new location 7 inches up and tried to cut new threads in the ruined >hole >> in >> the bracket, but failed. (My threading tool broke off in the hole. Did >I >> mention I'm not real handy?) Next, I ruined another hole when a second >> bolt >> got jammed and the head stripped, and I had to drill IT out. (I >remained >> remarkably cool through all of this.) >> >> So let's summarize: I now have two working bolts out of four holding >the >> connecting bracket to the mast at the new location. The good news is >the >> two working bolts are the topmost and bottommost bolts. And the >connection >> set-up consists of an outer bracket through which the bolts pass and >an >> inner bracket with threads that sits in the sail track. When the bolts >are >> tightened the two brackets are pressed together pinching against the >lip >> of >> the sail track. The fact that the bolts pass on through both brackets >into >> the mast itself also gives added adhesion, at least as far as vertical >> movement is concerned. >> >> SO MY QUESTION IS.... am I screwed having only two bolts holding the >> gooseneck connection brackets to the mast? Isn't most of the pressure >at >> that point vertical pressure? If so, it seems that two bolts might be >> sufficient. If not, and if I need to have four bolts securing it, it >seems >> that my options are: 1) re-drilling and re-threading the two bad >holes >> (remember my track record on that is not good), or getting a new inner >> connecting bracket (the one that goes inside the track, with threads). >If >> that's what I must do, does anyone know where I can get one? (Mine is >an >> 89 >> C27 Tall Rig). >> >> Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any helpful suggestions anyone >> might care to offer. >> >> >> Jeff Sheler >> s/v Windsome >> C27TR #6594 >> Hampton, VA > >
