Boom Gooseneck Options?

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

My 1996 Eagle 525 unfortunatley became de-masted on her swinging mooring in the recent high winds. Thankfully, the damage is fairly minimal, and it is mainly confined to the gooseneck on the boom.

It's a Z-spars boom, and the gooseneck has a number cast in to it (4065), which I assume is the part number. I have sent an e-mail to Z-spars to see if they still stock this 28 year old part (my preferred option), but just in case they don't, do I have any other options ? How universal are Z-spars booms?

In short, do I have any other options if Z-spars are unable to help me?

 

[Telstar26]

No part number that I can see, but something like this?

Approx 140mm long.

 

[LadyInBed]

Eagle 525

Morton Eagle 525 sailing boat for sale | Youboat UK
Nice boat ?
A picture of the gooseneck would be helpful

 

[Telstar26]

Seeing that photo makes me think that your fittings will be a size or two up from the ones on my Parker 21!

Z Spars have changed their boom profiles and gooseneck fittings since yours were made, so you may have trouble. But it's worth checking the For Sale forum / posting on the Wanted one

 

[LadyInBed]

Seeing that photo makes me think that your fittings will be a size or two up from the ones on my Parker 21!

Your fitting may well be ok, I was just making the point that there is more than one Eagle 525.
Forumites can be more helpful if there is a picture of the item.

 

[Tranona]

Indeed. My first thoughts were this one sailboatdata.com/sailboat/eagle-525 which was a popular boat on its day.

 

[Supertramp]

Gooseneck on a 1997 Eagle 525.

I recall it had a Z spars mast. At a guess the problem will be with the flat plate part of the fitting rather than the casting, or the vertical bolt. If it is the plate, I would drill out the rivets and take it to someone who can cut, bend and drill stainless steel and get a replacement made.

Fittings were dinghy sized but not many dinghies have reefing hooks.

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

I did try to post a picture of the offending item, but my computer kept insisting the file was too large, even when I tried to reduce it!

And, for the record my Eagle 525 is the 17ft version, but I do wish it was the lovely looking catermaran above!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Z-spars have been superb. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing they have identified the 26 year old part, they have it on their shelves, and it should be with me by Wednesday. Essentially, I was panicking over nothing, and Z-spars have more than come to the rescue!!

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

View attachment 137902
Gooseneck on a 1997 Eagle 525.

I recall it had a Z spars mast. At a guess the problem will be with the flat plate part of the fitting rather than the casting, or the vertical bolt. If it is the plate, I would drill out the rivets and take it to someone who can cut, bend and drill stainless steel and get a replacement made.

Fittings were dinghy sized but not many dinghies have reefing hooks.

Yes, that's the fella, the bit in the boom though, not the bit attached to the mast. Thankfully now all sorted with Z-spars!

 

[Supertramp]

Good news and a happy ending. Great little boats and I recall the reefing hooks on mine got well used.

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

Did it! Finally got the picture to upload!

 

[Norman_E]

I machined a new gooseneck from a block of aluminium alloy, and wrote it up for PBO some years ago. Its not hard for any small engineering works (or a model engineer like me) to make one.

 

[Supertramp]

Did it! Finally got the picture to upload!

Wow, that's a scary picture. I imagine it pulled the tabernacle off and I suggest taking the opportunity to replace the plywood pad above the mast step pole with something water resistant and tough (teak or plastic or metal). I replaced mine with ply and then wished I'd gone with stainless steel. The tabernacle and bolts work loose during mast raising and lowering and let in water rotting the wood.

I also recall beefing up the stem head fitting bolts with backing plates as they worked loose with forestay tension.

Despite these details it remains a great fun boat to sail and able to handle remarkable winds for its size and weight.

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

It's a horrible picture isn't it? I don't mind admitting we were very distraught when our mooring neighbour sent it to us, and thought our sailing adventures might be at an end...


Yes, compression post and tabernackle removed and the tabernackle is currently sitting in the fabricators department at work awaiting 'gentle persuasion' to go back to it's original shape. The wood has been removed from both above and underneath, new bolts and nuts have been ordered. Both sets of wood will be replaced with some teak we already have, New turnbuckle fittings ordered for the forestay and the shrouds, and if nothing else this whole situation means we at least get the new lazy jacks and stack pack fitted before the winter! (every cloud has a silver lining etc...)



But yes, will make sure to have a good at the stem head bolts and fittings (we we had overlooked at the weekend), that sounds like very sensible advice!