Loose Gooseneck/Boom Attachment

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:13 am

I've had a persistent problem with the five screws that attach the boom to the gooseneck. Several of them work loose and it's a problem that could really cause an issue (obviously). I am trying to decide if I should simply drill and tap larger screws or if I should also through-bolt it in addition to the larger screws.

How are other boats set up? I want it done right, but I'm not looking for massive overkill. I'm also concerned about considerable corrosion with a larger SS bolt as well as drilling a large hole that close to the end of the spar.

Any thoughts?

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:26 am

Rivets? Loctite?

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:41 am

Not knowing the sizes and the distance to the edge of the aluminum, I'd bet you could drill and tap for larger fasteners. If 'stubborn' or 'difficult' were some of your middle names, you could make up some sort of internal aluminum ring to be drilled and tapped, effectively an arrangement of fixed nuts. You could consider just epoxying stainless nuts to the inside and hope you didn't break them loose on assembly or later dissassembly.

I would not through-bolt if: you judged that oversize drilling was out because of 'too-close-to-the edge'; you'd run the risk of deforming things; more than one throughbolt would likely want to be in the same plane; you'd be depending upon simple tearout strength instead of a bolt or screw fastening that depends upon the friction created by the clamping between the components.

If you use one of the various coatings or bedding of the stainless fitting and fastenings against the aluminum you would go a long way toward preventing further damage.

As far as catastrophic failure is a concern, and if the gooseneck is essentially a socket, the tension in the foot of the sail, between the fitting on the gooseneck and the outhaul, will hold things together. (Nice to know but not satisfactory.)

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:11 pm

Thanks guys.

Rivets? Loctite?

I need access to the boom for the outhaul and reefing line that are run internally. I did try Loctite, but it wasn't tight enough as the screws backed out again.

As far as catastrophic failure is a concern, and if the gooseneck is essentially a socket, the tension in the foot of the sail, between the fitting on the gooseneck and the outhaul, will hold things together. (Nice to know but not satisfactory.)

I know, but I've been known to wipe out occassionally and I can just see the boom detaching at just such a moment. :)

The gooseneck is pretty beefy - I think larger screws and a corrosion inhibitor are the way to go. Thanks for ruling out the through-bolt. Another J/30 owner did through-bolt it and that made me wonder if it was a prudent move.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:58 pm

We must have similar booms... mine does the same.

I'm contemplating chopping an inch off the extrusion to get back into fresh material in hopes of a tighter fit on the cast gooseneck. I think its the mix of cast aluminum, extruded, and stainless screws.

radicalcy · Post by **radicalcy** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:55 pm

Jason,
Are these self tapping screws, or machine screws? If self tapping, drill and tap and changeover to machine screws and loctite. If you're already using machine screws....well then......never mind.
Larry Wilson

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:54 pm

Are these self tapping screws, or machine screws? If self tapping, drill and tap and changeover to machine screws and loctite. If you're already using machine screws....well then......never mind.

They're machine screws, but thanks for the advice. Everything was fine until I had to take the boom off to get at the outhaul a couple months ago. I guess I broke the corrosion seal that has been carefully formed over time.

I'm not seeing any point loading on the boom and there isn't any noticeable corrosion. The screws just keep backing out. I'm going to go out there this weekend if I'm sober (Mardi Gras!) and take care of it. Or if not this weekend, then the following when I wake up.