My boom recently snapped while doing a heavy air gybe on the San Francisco Bay (a clean break just behind the point where the aft main sheet block is fastened). I was wondering if anyone can recommend any good resources (in the Bay Area) for locating a new boom as well as fitting it. Thanks in advance. -david
Bob7291
04-22-2008, 12:25 am
If you are looking for a new one, you might check with DwyerSpars - they sell several different sizes and sections of aluminum spars. I had the same thing happen on my boat several years ago - the result of overstressing the boom at that point the night before when raising the mast, some deterioration at the fasteners due to corrosion, and the fact that with a mid-boom sheeting set up, there is substantial leverage exerted on the boom by the clew slug against that mainsheet attachment point (on my boat a single bail). It was very fortunate that I had previously installed a solid vang, as a soft one would have allowed the boom to snap back in recoil when it broke.