What could go possible wrong?

[SimonFa]

I have just bought my first boat, Hunter Legend 33, and need to change the mild steel bolt on the gooseneck as it is seriously corroded and I won't be covered on my insurance if it fails. (I appreciate that this is unlikely but I want the piece of mind).

I'm thinking of using a spare halyard to take the boom weight at the mast end and lashing it to the cockpit gantry fitting at the clew end, probably where the main sheet connects to stop it flying forward with the topping lift and main sheet halyard taking the weight at that end.

Am I missing something or is the a better way to do this? I really don't want to get part way through this and find I've got a boom sticking through the coach roof

Thanks in advance for all suggestions,

Simon

 

[VicS]

I dont see any problems. Lash the back end to the gantry and take the weight of the front end with the main halyard. A light tie to a shroud will keep it out of the way while you work

Or take the boom off while you work and pop it back on when you have finished?

 

[vyv_cox]

My boat is about the same length as yours. I take the boom off every winter and stow it below. I lower the topping lift until the boom is resting on the instrument box above the companionway, detach the gooseneck and lower the boom onto the deck.

 

[TQA]

If the sail is off then the boom will be easier to handle. I would just have something prepared to rest the mast end on. Maybe a spare cushion with a lashing handy. I would rather it was on the deck than swinging about hanging from a halyard.

 

[johnphilip]

I have just bought my first boat, Hunter Legend 33, and need to change the mild steel bolt on the gooseneck as it is seriously corroded and I won't be covered on my insurance if it fails. (I appreciate that this is unlikely but I want the piece of mind).



Thanks in advance for all suggestions,

Simon

As suggested the boom itself should not be all that heavy but take care if you have a gas strut in your kicking strap (boom vang). This will need to be disconnected from the boom and laid on the deck, adjust the kicker until there is no pressure on the attachment to the boom, remove the pin but keep a firm hold as you lower the strut to the deck. there is a surprising power in that gas spring.

 

[Cloven]

I have just bought my first boat, Hunter Legend 33, and need to change the mild steel bolt on the gooseneck as it is seriously corroded and I won't be covered on my insurance if it fails. (I appreciate that this is unlikely but I want the piece of mind).

I'm thinking of using a spare halyard to take the boom weight at the mast end and lashing it to the cockpit gantry fitting at the clew end, probably where the main sheet connects to stop it flying forward with the topping lift and main sheet halyard taking the weight at that end.

Simon

I use this method all the time to raise/lower my boom/sail. Sail/stackpack are well nigh impossible to get on with the boom in place.

I fit the sail/stackpack to the boom first and then its all enclosed in the stack pack

Lay it on the pontoon beside the boat & fix topping lift on the outer end of the boom and main sheet wrapped round the mast end.

Then we use the main sheet & topping lift to raise the whole lot onto the boat and hold it there while I fit the gooseneck pin. Means that the weight of the boom/sail is taken by the ropes & all we need to do is control it. Should say I am doing this shorthanded with just me & SWMBO & neither of us in the first flush of youth. Indeed, until we sorted this method out SWMBO was very reluctant to get involved in the whole process.