I broke my boom!! What is this part called and how to attach it?

[ProDave]

Sailing today, with a reef in the main sail, a part broke off the boom. It's the fitting on top of the aft end of the boom, onto which the topping lift and the reefing line was attached. I now know that should only have been used for the topping lift, and the reefing line should have been secured to a different fitting. (the joys of a second hand boat that didn't have the best of previous owners)

The reefing line is now attached to where it should be, and topping lift secured temporarily but now need to make a permanent repair.

I first need to find the correct name for the now missing part, It's a U shaped SS bit of metal that I would describe as a "saddle" (as in it looks like an electrical conduit saddle fitting) No doubt in marine terms, it has a completely different name.

Of course I don't have a picture of the missing part. An image search has found this picture:

The part I am talking about is riveted onto the side of the boom in the above picture. Ours was riveted onto the top of the boom. I need to know the correct name of that part so we can buy a new one.

The rivets pulled out of the mast and the part is lost. To replace it the choices seem to be drill out and use larger rivets than before, or since it is near the aft end of the boom we recon we can get in there to attach a washer and nut, to nut and bolt the replacement on. Thoughts on that please?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Outhaul turning block

OR

a reeving line turning block

I have one on each side of my boom for first and second reeving lines

 

[ProDave]

No, not the block, the simple U shaped fitting to the left of it with a spliced end of the line through it.

 

[Tranona]

Pretty standard item from any chandlers or rigger. suggest attaching it in a different location. You will need a substantial riveter so probably better to get a rigger to do it for you if you can.

 

[ProDave]

Pretty standard item from any chandlers or rigger. suggest attaching it in a different location. You will need a substantial riveter so probably better to get a rigger to do it for you if you can.

Yes but what is it called?

Used correctly as just the topping lift it is not subject to much load, it was overloaded in this case because the reefing line was tied there, instead of a different more substantial fitting.

What about my idea of nut and bolting the replacement on? this is supposed to be the place for practical boat owners to fix their own boats is it not rather than paying someone to put a couple of rivets in?

 

[dunedin]

Lacing eye? Some types are dead eye.

 

[bluerm166]

Saddle eye strap

 

[Daydream believer]

Lacing eyes here
I would put it on the underside of the boom (is there one there already that you can use?) & splice, or whip, a loop on the end of the topping lift. This will take the load & the lacing eye will then only hold it in place, thus not straining any pop rivets or other type of fixing that you use.

 

[B27]

Alternative fitting or name 'boom bail'.

 

[Tranona]

Yes but what is it called?

Used correctly as just the topping lift it is not subject to much load, it was overloaded in this case because the reefing line was tied there, instead of a different more substantial fitting.

What about my idea of nut and bolting the replacement on? this is supposed to be the place for practical boat owners to fix their own boats is it not rather than paying someone to put a couple of rivets in?

force4.co.uk/item/Seasure/Lge-Deck-Eye-2pk/PBA

This is one type, also called lacing eyes. Simple things but attaching to a boom is not easy as normally you don't have access inside for a nut and bolt so the usual fixing method is a pop rivet and the size you need requires a good riveter. If you have access to that then jobs easy, making sure you insulate it from the aluminium. I expect yours has failed because of corrosion so you may not be ble to use the same holes. If your boom wall is thick enough you might be able to drill and tap, or even use a selftapper, but neither of these are as good as a rivet.

 

[john_morris_uk]

If your main is loose footed then do away with the lacing eye and tie the reefing pennant round the boom. There’s a special way of doing it if you’re going this route and are interested.

 

[William_H]

I would call the fitting a saddle. Yes if you can replace the old one with similar size with nuts and bolts. I might suggest the saddle be fitted on top of the boom, off to one side of reefing line exit box. This to possibly avert the saddle hitting a person's head. (of course there is that hulking greeat sheeve box on side anyway) Possibly not a concern on a bigger boat. Op will proably have difficulties removing the end cap of the boom due to corrosion. In which case it must be rivets. Not easy to find and fix bigger rivets. Need to use stainless steel or monel with plenty of duralac or similar in hole to avert corrosion. could also try threaded screw into tapped hole in ali. ol'will

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I would call the fitting a saddle. Yes if you can replace the old one with similar size with nuts and bolts. I might suggest the saddle be fitted on top of the boom, off to one side of reefing line exit box. This to possibly avert the saddle hitting a person's head. (of course there is that hulking greeat sheeve box on side anyway) Possibly not a concern on a bigger boat. Op will proably have difficulties removing the end cap of the boom due to corrosion. In which case it must be rivets. Not easy to find and fix bigger rivets. Need to use stainless steel or monel with plenty of duralac or similar in hole to avert corrosion. could also try threaded screw into tapped hole in ali. ol'will

What about rivet nuts??

 

[ProDave]

The reason it failed is this fitting is supposed to only have been for the relatively light load of the topping lift, but wrongly the end of the reefing line was also tied to it imposing a much greater load. the reefing line has now been moved back to it's correct, more substantial place. So it is just reinstating the fixing for the topping lift.

The mast end in this case is open so we have access for nut and bolting without taking anything apart so I think that is what we will do.

 

[dunedin]

Similar to Daydream’s suggestion, I would suggest typing a few loops of strong but thin rope round the boom with a loop above to attach the topping lift to. There there is no strain on any pop rivets or bolts.
Done tight enough the exiting lacing eye/rivet heads should keep it on, but if worried a light secondary lashing to the pulley would do the trick.
Not only the strongest solution but also near zero cost and no difficult large rivets to fit.

 

[pmagowan]

As others have suggested, n matter what fittings you choose, be cautious of dissimilar metals coming in contact with the aluminium boom.

 

[arcot]

Eye bolt with large washers both sides thru bolted from one side of boom to other side using 8 mm ss bolt

 

[penfold]

Lacing eyes here
I would put it on the underside of the boom (is there one there already that you can use?) & splice, or whip, a loop on the end of the topping lift. This will take the load & the lacing eye will then only hold it in place, thus not straining any pop rivets or other type of fixing that you use.

There's already one there, no need to fit one.

 

[Tranona]

There's already one there, no need to fit one.

That is not the OP's boom, but an image to illustrate what has broken off!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

There's already one there, no need to fit one.

I’d get that off, and refit it with a dyneema tape sling inside. Then the topping lift goes on the sling, and the reef point too, if it broke off it’s rightful place.