gear

[laserbahamas]

hey,
how do i know when to buy a new boom. My rivets have come out on both of the blocks, so i had to re rivet them in in different places. Also my fairlead is coming up. and the boom seem corroded, i am about to start training for the winter.

What do you think i should do?

 

[bjmoose]

Re: boom corrosion

It's pretty common for folks to get an old bent laser top mast section, cut it to length, and reinstall all their boom hardware on it. I did that.

http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=6479

 

[49208]

Instead of drilling new holes (more holes=weaker boom, and possiply illegal unless you stayed withing the narrow tolerances of where the fittings can be) you should have thru bolted the fittings back on in the same holes.

You didn't mention it, but hopefully you used a corrision inhibitor between the eyestraps and the boom, or at least some clear packing tape, as well as on the stainless rivits. Make sure you rinse it well after sailing.

With the advent of the sleeve in the boom now, I think most people don't replace the boom until they either bend or break it.