Single line reef disaster

[Sarum28]

First sail of the season and I have done a stupid thing by pulling on my in boom single line reefing system without ensuring it was attached to the clew resulting in the line disappearing into the boom, how far I know not, but I've got a lot of line out the other end. Any tips on how to retrieve it please.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

There's only one way. Drill out the rivets holding the cap on the outboard end of the boom and start again. We've been there and believe me there's no alternative.

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[philip_stevens]

Me too, at the end of last season when taking the sails off!!

Off with the end cap, put the mast end up in the air, and let the weight of the block bring it down to the end. Then put the end cap back on - as it did, with 5mm SS pan head screws, after tapping the end cap. And don't forget to use that yellow stuff (I've forgottent the name and it is on the boat)

I'm bound to do it again someday!!

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[quaelgeist2]

If it is a Selden boom, you mau not need a drill for rivets but an unusual starshaped tool - called TORX ?

Unless you are a mechanic, you may also not have come across it before (like me)

It is very easy then to remove the cap.

chris

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[DavidBolger]

Exact same happened to me at the end of last season. I would not pop out the rivets if at all possible. I managed to push the line back down the boom and by raising the end of the boom and rattling it was able to retread it using a mousing line. This took me a very patient 3 hours. It is important to make sure that the other lines are tight to ensure you don't get them wrapped in the boom. If you can avoid taking off the end I would.

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[peterb]

It's just possible that an idea I picked up from an electrician might help. Faced with running a cable under some floorboards, at one end he poked down a string with a piece of nylon stocking. At the other end he pushed in a long piece of bramble, which he twisted about until it caught on the nylon. A gentle pull on the bramble then brought the nylon out, complete with following cord.

Otherwise, try a piece of expanding curtain wire with a hook on the end.

 

[qsiv]

The yellow paste is likely to be zinc chromate ...

I will take real care not to let this happen to me (but I'm sure it will). Last time we had the boom off I needed a friendly Hiab driver to lift it off the boat. I could barely believe the weight (nearly 320 Kg).

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[vyv_cox]

I suspect that it could be easy to get an internal twist if you do it your way. Drilling out the rivets and re-popping them takes no more than 10 minutes and even adopting the improvements detailed by other posters, either tapping the end cap and bolting up or inserting captive nuts, the job shouldn't take more than half an hour. Not worth three hours in my opinion!

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[philip_stevens]

As you say Vyv. And while I had the end off my boom, I also had a chance to inspect the internal blocks, and apply a small squirt of lubricant to the sheaves.

It was worth (well, just!) the aggro, and to be able to inspect the hidden sheaves and splices inside the boom.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Sarum28]

Thanks for all yor advice I will try it this weekend

<hr width=100% size=1>Jonathan

 

[Modulation]

I used the curtain line/hook approach and it worked only after spraying the assembly with Sailkote to reduce friction. Even then it was a deeply frustrating job.

<hr width=100% size=1>Brendan

 

[Jules]

What the hell size is your boat???????
1/3 of a ton for the boom?

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[qsiv]

Boat is 51', boom 22', but as the sheeting is mid boom it is a very deep section (about 15" where the blocks are). The main is quite big (about 800 sq Ft) so the loads on the boom are pretty big. I did enquire about replacing it with a carbon boom - but was quoted a price that would have bought a small Mercedes - so decided not to proceed!

The new boat (due next year) has a carbon boom just a bit shorter, but sheeted to the end and apparently weighs about 70lb without fittings! Progress is great!

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[Jules]

Sounds like an interesting project. Any pics?

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[qsiv]

How about these

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.schock40.org/photos.htm>http://www.schock40.org/photos.htm</A>

I particularly like the concept of a 40ft monohull that has been clocked at 30knots (even if they did lose the rig a bit later the same day).

95% of all boatspeed at winds in excess of 8kts are faster than 5 knots.
50% of all boatspeed at winds in excess of 18kts are faster than 10 knots.

Comfortable they are not, conveneient (with a draught of 8') no. Quick - yes..

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[Jules]

looks fantastic! Don't sail near any lobster pots though.
Similar concept to the JS9000 which I have been seriously looking at. The 7'6" draft puts me off a bit, but the disadvantages pale compared to a 30' boat doing 20 knts+ with a crew of 2 and no sprit.
Exciting where sailing is going.
Are there any others where you sail?

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[qsiv]

No others in UK as far as I know. I like the idea of a boat that will be competitive for shorthanded races. It's all a little dependent on getting a suitable STIX value, and an endorsement allowing for the powered hydraulics for the canting keel. Although there is manual backup, one couldnt be competitive in a tacking duel without the pumps. As for the pots - yes that is scary, particularly on passage races.

The JS looks nice - I was reading the review whilst the sprogs were at their tennis lessons yesterday - and went aboard at SBS. It looks an absolute hoot for the money they are asking - unfortunately we dont have any day racing keelboats round Jersey.

I'm aiming to have the boat on the water early next season (either for Warsash or the Red Funnel), then do a couple of RORC races before taking three weeks off for Cowes week (two weeks warm up then the week itself). I've got three guys who are s**t hot from the San Diego fleet to come and sail the boat with me - what I need now is a top flight Solent tactician and the crew is more or less complete.

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[Jules]

Sounds brilliant. I wish you every success. As she will be the only one I look forward to tracking the results!

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[qsiv]

If your around the Solent (or Jersey) in the run up to Cowes next year, drop me a line if you feel you'd like a sail - if it is earlier in the season I doubt whether we will be in full control of the beast!

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