Rigging

[Triton106]

Hi All,

Like many Tritons "Blossom" (Triton 106) comes with roller reefing main. It was converted at some stage by the previous owner to jiffing reefing. However, the roller reefing mechanism was left in the boom and as a result the boom can and does roll from side to side when the weight of the reefed or furled mail sail is no just perfectly balanced. It does not impact the performance or safety but it is really annoying. So last weekend I took out the boom casting (insert piece in the boom forward end ) and took it to a machine shop to have the casting and the fitting (that attaches to the gooseneck) drilled and tapped so that I can bolt them together and stop the boom from rotating. When I took out the boom casting I found out that the original rolling mechanism is still in the casting but I have no use for it and it is just dead weight at this point. I asked several machine shops and no one seems to know how to get it out. Does anyone in this group have any experience with it? Any advice how to extract it out of the casting?

[Chris Campbell]

No idea myself, but I'll be curious to hear the results. I've got the same setup on my LeComte, and have been tying the mechanism off to avoid the twisting. Getting rid of some weight and stopping the twisting at the same time sounds like a great idea!

[jollyboat]

I also have this same set up. This winter I will be working the same project to get rid of it. Lets stay in touch on how to resolve this. It may require an entirely new fitting -which I am not at opposed to.

[Triton106]

Brian,

I checked with Rigrite, the casting part is something like $259 and no guarantee that it will fit my boom since Pearson used several different versions. Then the gooseneck shaft assembly is another $200+ and you need it if you are using their boom casting. That is why I am only focusing on retrofiting my existing casting.

Best regards,

Ray

[Triton106]

Hi All,

I thought I will post the result of my endeavor in ridding the roller reefing mechanism from the boom. As it turned out the rolling mechanism built in the boom casting is not part of the original roller reefing. Instead I think it is used to adjust the outhaul. Since the PO changed the way the outhaul is adjusted and led the cable out of the boom through an exit plate I never knew it was not original. I still don't but it's only my guess.

In any case, I took out the boom casting by unscrewing three setting screws and tapped (more like hammered it hard) it out. As I mentioned in my original posting the outhaul adjustment machism would not come out. The rolling mechanism has an arm that accepts allen wrench (or outhaul roller handle). It sticks out of the side of the boom casting and will not come out. I took the casting to a local True Value store to buy a handheld keyhole saw since I don't own a reciprocating saw. One guy was kind enough and offered to cut it out for me if I just by the blade. I jumped at the offer and bought a pack of two cobolt blades. It took him about five minutes to cut the arm off from inside the casting. The rest of the outhaul roller felt right out. Tomorrow I will fill up the hole left behind by the arm. The casting is much lighter now.

BTW, I also found a local machine shop and had them drill and tap the gooseneck fitting and the boom casting. I will bolt them together tomorrow. I will report back if the boom will continue to twist or not. Somehow I expect that will not happen again.

Best regards,

[jollyboat]

I spoke with my sailmaker/rigger friend up in Qunicy MA and he mentioned that Metal Mast can manufacture a stainless boom sleave or collar that is attached to boom after the roller furling cast unit is removed. From here a new goose neck fitting is installed. I may opt for an entirerly new boom if I run across one. Eitherway, it appears that this is somewhat approachable task for those inclined to do so.